Faint Sketch of the Head of Etourneau; verso: Inscription 1805 - 1824

Editor: This is Jacques-Louis David's "Faint Sketch of the Head of Etourneau," and it's a very light pencil drawing. It looks almost like a ghost on the page. What do you see in this work, beyond it being a preliminary sketch? Curator: Well, consider David’s role in shaping the visual language of the French Revolution. This sketch, though seemingly minor, reflects the larger political context. How does the act of sketching, of planning an image, contribute to the power of the final artwork? Editor: I guess I hadn't thought about the power dynamic of planning an image for political purposes. Curator: Exactly! These faint lines are the seeds of potentially powerful imagery. It’s about visualizing and controlling representation in a revolutionary moment. Sketching, as a prelude, is a political act. Editor: That gives me a whole new perspective on David's process and the power of these preparatory sketches.