Comte de Ségur 1805 - 1824

Curator: This is Jacques-Louis David's "Comte de Ségur", a pencil drawing residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels ephemeral. A quick sketch, but the cross-hatching suggests David was interested in volume and form, even in this preliminary stage. Curator: Indeed, the grid overlay shows the meticulous planning behind even what appears spontaneous. Ségur, a prominent figure, embodies the aristocratic milieu David often depicted, a milieu rife with privilege but also caught in pre-Revolutionary tensions. The material of the graphite itself offers insight into the artist's process and intention. Editor: The feathered hat, the cane—these are markers of status, of course. But looking at it now, it's interesting to consider how these sketches provided the foundation for what would become powerful statements on class and revolution. Curator: Precisely. Examining the work through the lens of social stratification and the power dynamics of the time illuminates not just the sitter's identity, but also David’s own complex relationship to his subjects. Editor: It’s a reminder that even a simple sketch like this can be rich with meaning when we consider the means and context of its making. Curator: A fascinating glimpse into the intersection of art, identity, and the socio-political landscape.