Three Views of a Military Drummer c. 1713

Curator: This is Jean-Antoine Watteau's "Three Views of a Military Drummer," a drawing residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There's a casualness here, a real sense of fleeting observation. The limited palette, just this sanguine chalk, gives it an airy, almost dreamlike quality. Curator: Watteau’s recruitment to military service certainly influenced his work; he often depicted military figures, yet his approach subtly critiqued the realities of military life. Editor: The drum placement is curious, obscuring the figures. Notice how the light catches the drum, but diminishes on the figures' faces, as if importance is given to the objects and not the individuals. Curator: Perhaps Watteau uses these figures to explore the pageantry and performance inherent in military roles. Editor: Indeed, and that repetition of the drum motif is a powerful rhythmic element, even visually. I see a sensitive study of form, not just a statement about war. Curator: A valuable point. It allows us to appreciate the work's aesthetic qualities, alongside its social commentary. Editor: Precisely, and the sanguine chalk creates a lovely sense of warmth despite the somber subject.