Sketchbook page c. 1776

Curator:This is a sketchbook page by Gabriel Jacques de Saint-Aubin at the Harvard Art Museums. I notice two distinct sketches. The upper one appears to be a horse-drawn carriage, while the lower one shows figures in a landscape, maybe a classical scene. What strikes you about this page? Editor: I’m drawn to the carriage—it feels very much of a specific era, maybe suggesting something about class and transportation, and how that era defined travel and accessibility. How does this piece speak to its historical context? Curator: The carriage represents the opulence and privilege of the elite during that period. Transportation was a stark marker of social status, and Saint-Aubin captures that division. What commentary might he be making by juxtaposing that with what appears to be figures from classical mythology? Editor: Maybe it’s suggesting a contrast between the idealized past and the realities of his own time, highlighting inequalities. Thank you for making me think about this in a new light! Curator: Absolutely. Art allows us to reflect on social structures and question the narratives that uphold them.