Roman Man-of-War, from a scarce Medal 

Curator: This lively pen and ink drawing is entitled "Roman Man-of-War, from a scarce Medal," and it's by the artist John Leech. What are your immediate impressions? Editor: It strikes me as rather humorous, actually. The sea looks incredibly choppy and the expressions on the Roman soldiers are just priceless. All that exaggerated hatching really emphasizes the precariousness of their situation. Curator: Indeed! Leech was known for his work in "Punch" magazine, producing satirical cartoons targeting Victorian society, but this piece is fascinating in that it suggests a much broader range in historical subject matter, though still through the lens of humor and caricature. Editor: The composition, even with the caricature, is well-balanced. The vertical mast, the curve of the sail, the diagonal oars all lead your eye around the image. It is quite dynamic given that it's only rendered in ink. Curator: And consider the context. What "scarce Medal" is he referencing? Is this piece making some sort of commentary on British naval power through its depiction of a Roman warship? It makes one wonder about the underlying political messages at play. The image's context affects its modern reception. Editor: From a purely visual perspective, I am struck by the confident linework. Each stroke contributes to a sense of movement. Look at the variation in line thickness, how that defines the forms, suggesting light and shadow. And notice, how despite being comical, each figure still has a particular emotion expressed. Curator: Exactly. I agree; Leech’s social observations are so compelling precisely because they operate on so many different levels of accessibility. He made his political statements very palatable for a wide viewership, which allowed him to hold power in the marketplace of imagery. Editor: The sheer economy of line is incredible, isn't it? It shows incredible skill in draftsmanship to be so descriptive and emotive with so little means. Curator: It certainly gives one pause to reflect on how visual imagery impacts perceptions of history. I think the visual satire gives people an emotional attachment to ancient history in an accessible manner. Editor: I concur; thinking about the relationship between technique and feeling here provides an avenue into the image's creation.