Fortitude: Unexecuted Design for the Monument to the First Duke of Marlborough c. 1733

Editor: Here we have John Michael Rysbrack's "Fortitude: Unexecuted Design for the Monument to the First Duke of Marlborough," dating to about 1733. It's rendered in pen, ink, and graphite on paper. The figure seems so burdened by something, lost in thought perhaps? What do you see in this piece? Curator: The beauty of this image lies, in part, in what it does *not* overtly depict. Rysbrack gives us 'Fortitude,' not necessarily as triumphant strength, but rather as a state of pensive endurance. Note the column, almost a surrogate for a burden she carries, physically supporting the monument's weight. Consider how classical virtue, like Fortitude, has been traditionally depicted as a powerful, often masculine figure. Here, that trope is subverted. Editor: So, you're saying the visual language here challenges the usual symbolism? Curator: Precisely. Think about it - how does Rysbrack communicate fortitude without the standard symbols of armor or weaponry? He instead uses gesture - the head resting on her hand, implying deep thought and perseverance through adversity. This introspective approach reflects a shift in the understanding of virtue, making it more human and relatable. Do you feel a connection to her emotion? Editor: I do, actually. It feels more personal than a typical monument design might. Curator: That's the intriguing paradox here! It’s an image intended for a public monument, but rendered with a remarkable sense of private emotion. And this tension gives the drawing enduring power. The sketch reminds us fortitude isn't just outward strength, but a quiet, internal resilience too. Editor: It’s fascinating how Rysbrack used the symbolism of his time to also suggest something more personal and timeless. It really makes you think about what strength really means.