Carmelite Monks at Seville 1853

Curator: David Roberts sketched these Carmelite Monks at Seville. It’s now part of the Tate Collections, rendered with pen and brown wash on paper. Editor: There's a contemplative air about it, a sense of quiet observance. The limited palette gives it an almost ghostly feel. Curator: The rapid strokes suggest a study, perhaps made in preparation for a larger work. Note how Roberts uses the wash to define the drapery, a common technique. Editor: The robes are so voluminous, they are symbols of piety and detachment from the material world. See how the artist captures their solemnity through these simple shapes? Curator: Absolutely. We can also consider the socio-economic implications of monastic orders in 19th-century Spain, the very fabric of their garments, and the labor involved. Editor: I see them less as economic agents, more as figures of tradition. Their presence evokes a sense of history, a visual link to centuries of religious practice. Curator: A fascinating contrast in perspectives, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Indeed, a worthwhile subject to spend a moment longer thinking about.