Cardinal Caprara in Cardinal's Robes, Wearing a Wig and Carrying a Biretta; verso: Faint Sketch of Prince Joachim Murat 1805 - 1806

Editor: This is Jacques-Louis David's sketch of "Cardinal Caprara in Cardinal's Robes." It’s just a pencil drawing, but there’s something so compelling about the figure. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It's a glimpse into David's process, isn't it? The grid suggests he was preparing for a larger work, maybe a formal portrait. But even here, the wig and biretta hint at the man beneath the robes, a personality David seems keen to capture. The faint sketch on the back only adds to the mystery. Editor: So, less about the office and more about the individual? Curator: Precisely! It makes you wonder about their relationship, and David’s intentions. Editor: I hadn’t considered it that way. Fascinating!