A Chamberlain Holding His Hat 1805 - 1824

Editor: Here we have "A Chamberlain Holding His Hat," a pencil drawing by Jacques-Louis David. It has a very ephemeral feel to it, almost unfinished. What can we say about the drawing itself, especially the materiality of the graphite on paper? Curator: Look closely at the paper itself, its weave and likely source. David's choice of material speaks to the accessibility of art production, moving away from strictly commissioned portraits towards a more democratic process, even if the subject remains elite. Editor: So the sketch itself is making a statement? Curator: Precisely. The medium, the paper and pencil, becomes just as crucial as the subject matter in understanding David's artistic intentions and the changing landscape of art production. Editor: I never thought about the paper as a political object. Fascinating. Curator: Material analysis can reveal much about an artist's process, and the social context of their work.