Head and Shoulders of Jeremiah, for "Jeremiah Dictating..." 1819

Editor: Here we have Washington Allston's "Head and Shoulders of Jeremiah, for 'Jeremiah Dictating...'," a drawing whose date is unknown. The charcoal feels so raw and immediate. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Considering Allston's elite background and training, it is interesting to see him utilize such a direct, almost unrefined medium. How does this choice of charcoal challenge the traditional hierarchy between preparatory sketch and finished work, especially given its subject matter? Editor: I hadn't thought of that. The roughness does give it a modern feel. Curator: Indeed. It makes you question the labor and the social status of the artists making sketches compared to those producing finished works. What does it tell us about Allston’s relationship to those different forms of artistic labor? Editor: This gives me a whole new perspective on Allston's artistic process and intention. Thanks! Curator: Likewise, I’ll be thinking about the socio-economic factors that shaped Allston’s choices.