Sketches of Standing Woman and Man; verso: Sketch of a Standing Woman 19th-20th century

Editor: Here we have William Valentine Schevill's "Sketches of Standing Woman and Man," a pencil drawing. It looks like a study. What can you tell us about the process behind this work? Curator: The paper itself reveals much about artistic production. Its size and the presence of sketches on both sides suggest economy and the practical needs of an artist constantly observing. Consider the social context, who had access to this paper, and what determined its use. Editor: That's interesting. I hadn't considered that. It makes me wonder about Schevill's daily practice. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, a materialist lens encourages us to think about how artists work within and sometimes against, material constraints.