A Figure Bowing before a Seated Old Man with his Arm Outstretched in Benediction. Verso: Indecipherable Sketch date not known

Editor: This is Robert Blake's "A Figure Bowing before a Seated Old Man with his Arm Outstretched in Benediction." It feels unfinished, but the stark composition is really striking. What stands out to you from a formal perspective? Curator: The stark contrast indeed compels our attention. Note how the lines, though simple, define the figures, creating a dynamic relationship between supplication and authority. The lack of shading flattens the space, pushing the figures to the foreground, emphasizing their interaction. Editor: So, the flatness isn't a flaw, but a deliberate choice? Curator: Precisely. It invites us to consider the symbolic weight of the figures themselves, rather than getting lost in illusionistic depth. The composition guides our eye through a structured narrative of power and submission. How do you interpret the materiality of the artwork? Editor: I see what you mean; it makes it easier to understand the figures' relationship to one another. Thank you! Curator: It was my pleasure.