Six Sketches of a Panther's Head c. 1827 - 1830

Editor: Here we have Delacroix’s "Six Sketches of a Panther's Head." It’s a simple sketch, just lines on paper, but you can feel the energy in those quick strokes. What do you see in this work? Curator: I see a fascination with the animal's form, undoubtedly. But more than that, consider the paper itself – its texture, its likely origins. Was it readily available, a mass-produced sheet? Or something more bespoke, reflecting Delacroix’s access and social standing? How does this paper affect our understanding of the work as a study, versus a finished piece? Editor: That's interesting, I hadn't thought about the paper itself being part of the story. Curator: Absolutely. And think about the labor involved. Delacroix’s hand, of course, but also the unseen hands that produced the materials he used. Every artwork is a product of its means of production. Editor: It’s a reminder that even a simple sketch has a complex history behind it.