Two Eyes; verso: blank c. 18th century

Curator: Here we have "Two Eyes; verso: blank," a small graphite sketch by Joshua Reynolds, created sometime before his death in 1792. Editor: They're just eyes, floating on the page. The texture of the paper itself, with its slight yellowing and visible fibers, is what really grabs me here. Curator: Reynolds, of course, was a dominant figure in the art establishment, president of the Royal Academy. His portraits shaped the public image of the British elite. Editor: But this is so raw, so unlike those grand portraits! It's just pure observation, almost like a material study of light and shadow. The hand moving across the page is so present. Curator: Reynolds advocated for history painting as the highest form of art. Sketches like this reveal a more intimate side, a glimpse into his process. Editor: It's refreshing to see Reynolds, the society painter, engaging with the basics, the building blocks of representation. I wonder what he intended to do with it. Curator: Perhaps it was just an exercise, a way of honing his skill. It certainly makes you think about the many roles of art making and of the role of a sketch. Editor: I agree. These eyes offer an unexpected view on the artist's practice and the materiality that underpins all artistic creation.