Three Pilgrims Confronted by Cupid c. 1761

Curator: Susanna Duncombe, born in 1725, made this delightful drawing, "Three Pilgrims Confronted by Cupid." Editor: Oh, it's charming! It feels like a stage set, with those pilgrims so stiff and Cupid about to cause mischief. Curator: Indeed. Duncombe, from a family steeped in artistic and literary circles, likely saw art-making as a form of social engagement. The sepia wash she employed was economical and trendy. Editor: Sepia gives it such a nostalgic feel. I wonder what materials were available to her. Did the wash dictate the tonal palette, or did the scene itself? Cupid looks mischievous, almost glowing. Curator: Considering her milieu, it's plausible she had access to a range of pigments. But sepia aligned well with the prevailing aesthetic, and the paper itself influences tone. Editor: Perhaps the subdued palette enhances the drama of Cupid's arrival. It makes me think about love, loss, and the simple magic of stumbling into something unexpected. Curator: And consider the pilgrimage motif. Duncombe, through Cupid’s disruption, seems to suggest the journey itself is altered. Editor: I like that. Makes me wonder where I’m headed and who might jump out along the way.