Two Studies of Reclining Youth 1705 - 1743

Editor: This drawing, "Two Studies of Reclining Youth" by Nicolas Lancret, was created sometime between 1705 and 1743. It's made with charcoal on, what looks like, toned paper. It feels academic, like figure studies, but what’s most striking is the sketch-like quality. What stands out to you? Curator: I'm drawn to the materiality of this piece. Look closely at the charcoal. Consider where it came from and how it was produced. This is a key material in academic practice, often made and distributed through artist networks. The labor involved in its making – think about the social position of charcoal makers at the time and how Lancret then consumed and deployed this tool. Editor: I hadn't considered the production of the charcoal itself. It's easy to forget the raw materials. How does that perspective change our understanding of this drawing? Curator: It underscores that art materials have a history, a social life. This seemingly simple drawing connects us to systems of labor and resource extraction inherent to the Baroque era. Think about the difference between Lancret using this carefully prepared charcoal and an amateur simply using a charred piece of wood from the fire. How does the level of preparation in the material and by the artist contribute to its categorization as 'art'? Editor: That reframes everything! So, the drawing becomes not just an exercise in form, but also evidence of a whole economic and social web. Curator: Precisely. We can consider how even something as straightforward as charcoal embodies social relationships. Considering material makes us re-evaluate what's present in the drawing beyond the representation of human figures. Editor: That makes me think about the labor involved not just in the charcoal making but also in the art itself, and who had access to the tools, training, and even the free time to create art. Thank you, that’s something I’ll definitely remember when I look at art from now on.