Faint Trial Head and Shoulders for David's Self-Portrait 1805 - 1824

Curator: This is a trial sketch by Jacques-Louis David, titled "Faint Trial Head and Shoulders for David's Self-Portrait," now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Intriguing. The barely-there quality of the lines against so much empty space gives it an ephemeral, almost ghostly, feeling. Curator: David, a key figure of the French Revolution, understood the power of imagery. This sketch, a preliminary for a self-portrait, reveals the artist carefully crafting his public image. Editor: The sketch's hesitant lines, however, contrast the later portrait's confidence. Perhaps the formal self-portrait is as much a political performance as it is a reflection of the self? Curator: Precisely. The public David, the painter of revolutionary heroes, carefully managed his persona, contrasting greatly with these private artistic fumblings. Editor: A fascinating glimpse into the artist's process, revealing the artifice behind the artist's 'official' image. Curator: Indeed, a wonderful insight into the man behind the monumental canvas.