Sketch for ‘Sancho Panza in the Apartment of the Duchess’ c. 1844

Curator: This is Charles Robert Leslie's sketch for ‘Sancho Panza in the Apartment of the Duchess’, currently residing in the Tate Collections. Editor: What strikes me is the composition—a hazy, golden light contrasting with deep shadows, creating an almost theatrical atmosphere. Curator: Absolutely, and the scene depicts a moment of aristocratic leisure tinged with satire from Cervantes' novel. Consider the power dynamics at play, the performative nature of class. Editor: The loose brushwork, though, suggests more than mere illustration. See how the dabs of color define form and space, prioritizing the visual sensation over narrative detail. Curator: But isn't that visual sensation also constructed? Leslie's choices reflect the social gaze, framing the Duchess as an object of both admiration and critique. Editor: Perhaps, but I find the artist’s focus on the interplay of light and form compelling in and of itself. Curator: A valuable reminder to unpack the many layers within a seemingly simple sketch. Editor: Indeed, a brief encounter offering volumes, wouldn’t you say?