[no title] c. 1893

Curator: This drawing, without a title, comes to us from Charles Ricketts, who was active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The image, at the Tate, presents a scene of figures within an architectural space, rendered in ink. What strikes you upon seeing this? Editor: There is a pervasive stillness despite the numerous figures populating the space. The architectural details, the reclining figures above, and the central group all contribute to a sense of solemnity. Curator: Absolutely. Ricketts, deeply influenced by the Aesthetic movement, often explored themes of beauty and decadence, here seen through the lens of classical antiquity and perhaps homoerotic desire, if we consider the intimate, almost tender poses of some figures. Editor: I am drawn to the child blowing bubbles, the bubbles themselves like ephemeral hopes or fragile joys amidst what might be construed as a scene of mourning or lamentation, given the central figure's posture. Curator: That’s astute. Considering the limited dimensions—160 by 124 mm—Ricketts masterfully uses line to convey complex emotions and narratives. It's a piece that invites contemplation on human relationships and the fleeting nature of pleasure. Editor: Indeed, a beautiful meditation on the dance between joy and sorrow.