Sketchbook page c. 1776

Editor: This is a quick sketch by Gabriel Jacques de Saint-Aubin, simply titled "Sketchbook page," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It depicts a crowd, possibly observing a carriage. It feels observational, almost like a fleeting glimpse. What stands out to you? Curator: Well, I see Saint-Aubin capturing a specific social dynamic. The sketch becomes a commentary on class and visibility. Who has access to the carriage, who is performing for whom? Editor: That's interesting, the idea of performance. Curator: Consider the figures surrounding the carriage - are they merely spectators, or are they also participating in a social theater, conscious of their own roles and visibility? What do you think? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. It’s like he's hinting at the power structures embedded within this scene. Thanks. Curator: Exactly. Art becomes a mirror reflecting societal norms and power dynamics.