Titus Flavius Sabinus Vespasianus, 79 A.D., from the Ancient Coins series (N180) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1888

Editor: Here we have "Titus Flavius Sabinus Vespasianus, 79 A.D., from the Ancient Coins series (N180)" by William S. Kimball & Co., made in 1888. It's a colored pencil drawing or print of a coin. It's amazing how something so ancient can be re-imagined like this. What strikes you about this particular depiction? Curator: Immediately, I'm drawn to the artist's choice to represent this ancient coin using colored pencil. This lends a tactile quality, an interesting counterpoint to the original's inherent material. It begs the question: how does this translation alter our understanding of the coin as an artifact? Editor: That's interesting. I hadn’t thought about the inherent differences in medium and what they communicate! Curator: Precisely! Look closely at the lines—they seem deliberate, emphasizing the relief and the age of the coin. Notice the artist has chosen not to idealize the depiction of Vespasian, and one must wonder why this element has been kept, whether this has to do with his character or whether this contributes to the impression of the antiquity that is suggested by its weathered state, what could be meant to highlight this effect of time? Editor: So you are suggesting that it emphasizes realism, through its very marks and wear, as it must have appeared to a person at the time? It shows decay as a method. Curator: To be sure. By meticulously reproducing these imperfections through color variations and depth, the artist makes these textures quite palpable. It seems almost a sort of semiotic engagement. Editor: It's like the drawing is referencing the coin, and the coin is referencing history. It's like nesting dolls all the way down. I learned that the technique of layering informs the art beyond simple mimesis. Thanks for sharing that. Curator: My pleasure.