The Start of a Race 

Curator: James Seymour's "The Start of a Race" captures a vibrant scene. The quick strokes give it an immediate, ephemeral feeling. Editor: It looks like a preparatory sketch. I'm drawn to the raw quality of the lines—the material process feels very close at hand. Curator: Precisely. Seymour was instrumental in the development of sporting art. He reflects the increasing importance of leisure and the spectacle of horse racing within the elite social echelons of his time. Editor: The scale is quite intimate, only 144 by 234 mm. Considering its purpose and the materials used, what does this say about its accessibility and intended audience? Was it a study meant for broader reproduction? Curator: That's an excellent question. These sketches served as records and status symbols, reinforcing dominant narratives around class, masculinity, and the pursuit of leisure. Editor: Thinking about the paper itself, I wonder where it was sourced and who would have been involved in its making. Curator: A material history we should definitely consider. Thank you, this really enriches our understanding. Editor: Indeed. The sketch offers just a glimpse, but it is full of information about the social and material conditions of its making.