The Prophet Isaiah, after Michelangelo c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have August Temmel's drawing, "The Prophet Isaiah, after Michelangelo." The sepia tones give it a classical feel, but something about the figures' expressions seems… I don't know, a little unsettling. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Unsettling, yes! It’s as if Temmel is channeling Michelangelo but through a cracked mirror. He captures the musculature, but the soul seems… vacant, doesn't it? Like a beautiful stage set with no actors. What do you make of the putti? Editor: They look a little…creepy, honestly. Not the cute cherubs I'm used to. Curator: Exactly! They lack that Renaissance sweetness. Perhaps Temmel is hinting at the burden of prophecy, the weight of knowledge… or maybe he just had a bad day. Editor: So, more than just a copy, it’s a commentary? Curator: Precisely. A conversation across centuries, tinged with a bit of… existential dread, perhaps? Makes you wonder what Temmel was really thinking. Editor: Definitely changes how I see it. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! Art history is just one big guessing game, isn't it?