Consul Charles-François Lebrun, Duc de Piacenza, Arch-Treasurer of the Empire, Holding the Imperial Insignia; verso: blank page 1805 - 1806

Editor: This is Jacques-Louis David's drawing of Consul Charles-François Lebrun, a sketch for a grander, unfinished portrait. There's a certain vulnerability in seeing this powerful figure from behind, almost as if we're catching him off guard. What do you make of it? Curator: It's like stumbling upon a half-remembered dream, isn't it? The rigid grid beneath the flowing robes and feathers... it’s the tension between meticulous planning and the chaotic reality of power. Does the unfinished nature make him feel more human, perhaps? Editor: Definitely. It's less about the perfect image and more about the process of becoming. Curator: Exactly! And maybe, just maybe, David is hinting at the fleeting nature of empires themselves. It all feels so fragile. Editor: That’s a fascinating take. It’s given me a whole new perspective. Curator: Isn’t that the joy of art? It's a conversation, a whispered secret passed down through pencil strokes and paper.