Capital, after the Antique 1893

Editor: This is Robert David Gauley’s "Capital, after the Antique," a pencil drawing of unknown date. It looks like a quick sketch, almost like a fragment. What's your take on this fragment? Curator: It’s a remnant, isn’t it? Gauley’s choice to depict classical architecture, even in fragmentary form, forces us to consider the power structures these forms represent. How do we reconcile the beauty of classical art with its historical association with empire and oppression? Editor: That's a really interesting point. I hadn't thought about it that way. Curator: It invites us to critically engage with the legacy of classical art and its continued influence on contemporary society. It makes you wonder who had access to it then, and who has access to it now. Editor: I'm glad to have considered the historical context and what it means to whom. Thank you. Curator: It’s a good reminder to look beyond the surface and consider the deeper social and political implications of art.