Two Male Figures with a Horse (after the Parthenon Frieze?) (from Sketchbook) 1857 - 1860

John Quincy Adams Ward created this sketch, "Two Male Figures with a Horse (after the Parthenon Frieze?)" using ink on paper. The composition strikes a delicate balance between precision and fluidity. The sparse use of line and the expanses of untouched paper create a visual rhythm, inviting the eye to complete the forms suggested by the artist. Ward seems to be engaging with historical artistic traditions, referencing the Parthenon Frieze. This act positions the work within a larger dialogue about classical ideals and their reinterpretation. By focusing on form and line, Ward prompts us to consider how the essence of classical art can be distilled and reimagined through a modernist lens. The sketch becomes a study in how cultural values are mediated through artistic form. The ear floating above the figures destabilizes fixed meanings, inviting multiple readings and interpretations. This challenges viewers to consider the dynamic interplay between historical references and modern artistic expression.