Altarentwurf, seitlich je eine glatte und eine gewundene Säule 

Editor: We’re looking at "Altarentwurf, seitlich je eine glatte und eine gewundene Säule," a design for an altar by Johann Baptist Straub. It's rendered in graphite, etching and paper. The architectural elements are so ornate; it gives the sketch a sense of grandiosity and restrained exuberance. What formal elements stand out to you? Curator: Immediately, I observe the contrasting linear elements: the stark verticality of the smooth columns juxtaposed with the spiraling dynamism of the twisted ones. Note also how the composition teases the eye skyward. Straub orchestrates this ascent through a delicate balance of horizontal ledges and ever more elaborate figuration, culminating in an ethereal crown. The whole generates a very strong sensation. Editor: That pull upwards is compelling. What do you make of the seemingly unfinished parts, or maybe that's the nature of design sketches? Curator: The variations in linework—from the bold definition of the bases to the wispy suggestions of angels above—are indeed intrinsic to the work’s formal expression. The sketch uses contrasts between the implied and the explicitly rendered; Straub seems to purposefully engage our imaginative completion of the design. In his controlled variation we see Straub's method. Editor: So the incompleteness adds a layer, making us participate? I appreciate your focus on the structural relationships; it makes the drawing more dynamic and less like just a blueprint. Curator: Precisely. These intrinsic elements compose the work’s language; considering them provides access to the designer's intent and artistry. Hopefully that reveals something for our listeners to contemplate!