Three Nude Male Bathers (The Roman Album) 1775 - 1780

Editor: This is Jacques-Louis David’s "Three Nude Male Bathers," from his Roman Album. It’s a simple sketch, but the figures feel so alive. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The means of production are crucial here. David's rapid sketch points to his understanding of the body as a commodity, transforming flesh into lines with economical efficiency. What does it say about labour when the male form is so readily consumed? Editor: That’s a fascinating perspective. So you're looking at how David's technique reflects a social attitude? Curator: Precisely. The ready availability of classical forms, filtered through David's hand, makes visible the artistic and social consumption practices of his time. The ease of reproduction inherent in a sketch facilitates broader circulation and potential commodification of both the image and the ideal it presents. It makes you wonder, how did these sketches function in the broader art market? Editor: I never would have thought about it like that. Thanks.