The Collectors 1977

Curator: Looking at this composition, the immediate sensation I get is one of muted observation, a kind of hushed expectancy. What do you see? Editor: Indeed, hushed. The subdued tones of the graphite or pencil, combined with the almost severe geometry of the figures, suggests a restrained kind of scrutiny. We’re looking at Will Barnet’s "The Collectors," created in 1977, a piece rendered primarily in drawing, with what seems to be an overlay of acrylic in the background. It feels remarkably controlled and composed. Curator: Controlled, yes, but also charged, I think. Consider the psychological weight carried by profile portraits throughout art history, think of royal lineages, medical specimens and the gaze. The almost scientific exactness of the profiles, juxtaposed against the flatness, opens this feeling of distance between the figures and us. Editor: I agree, but it's important to place Barnet himself within art historical movements like American Modernism and recognize the influence of institutions like the Art Students League. The controlled, elegant lines are reminiscent of classical drawing techniques but the stark composition is strikingly contemporary. Curator: Absolutely. And what does this flattening, this almost symbolic depiction of the “collectors” mean? Are they dispassionate observers, simply cataloging what’s before them? Or is something else afoot, given that pose? There is a sense of critique of institutions themselves that emerges. Editor: A potent point! Perhaps the stark composition challenges notions of passive consumption. Collectors, museums, viewers all play roles, the work of art takes a life with many different hands at work. There’s a real dialogue happening in how the collectors interact and the context they operate within. It’s all embedded in that drawing itself. Curator: Right. The choice of graphite adds another layer, since that evokes ideas of artistic sketches that might appear within such cultural and social situations; almost like he is "sketching out" who they really are. The viewers who themselves view art. Editor: Absolutely. Thinking of the historical implications of public-facing artwork versus the intentions of an artist gives "The Collectors" a fascinating legacy. Thanks for unpacking that for me, a fantastic viewing! Curator: Likewise! I feel like this offers many interesting insights on modern-day power dynamics in the art world, very insightful.