Female Head with Diadem 18th-19th century

Curator: Here we have "Female Head with Diadem," a red chalk drawing from the circle of Jacques-Louis David, residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's quite small, only about 9 centimeters tall. Editor: The red chalk lends a warm, almost sanguine quality to the study, doesn't it? The hatching is quite delicate, giving a real sense of volume and form. Curator: Indeed. The diadem immediately brings to mind classical antiquity, suggesting a connection to idealized beauty and perhaps even divinity. It's a timeless symbol of power and status. Editor: And the precision of the line work around her face—the nose, the lips—it reflects David's Neoclassical style, echoing the forms of ancient Greek sculpture. Curator: Precisely. The drawing functions almost as an exercise in replicating an ideal. She's an archetype. Editor: It is like David is trying to give us a window into history with the simplicity of the chalk and paper. It really highlights the essence of her form. Curator: It is a work that, I think, reminds us of the enduring power of classical forms. Editor: Yes, it's a lovely little study that speaks volumes about beauty, history, and artistic practice.