Large Urn on a Sculpted Base (The Roman Album) 1775 - 1780

Curator: This is Jacques-Louis David's "Large Urn on a Sculpted Base," part of The Roman Album, now residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Wow, it feels… heavy. All that ornate carving—the winged beasts, the ceremonial scene on the urn itself. It's like a monument waiting to happen. Curator: Indeed. David, a key figure in the Neoclassical movement, often looked to antiquity for inspiration. This sketch, though undated, reflects that deep engagement with Roman forms and ideals. Editor: It’s interesting that it’s just a sketch; I expected his vision to translate into the final product; it’s interesting to see it here in its nascent stages. I wonder what he intended to place inside the urn? Or was it solely designed to impress. Curator: Perhaps it represents both the practical and the symbolic. The grandeur of Rome, its civic virtues, all distilled into this single object. It's a powerful statement about the enduring relevance of the classical past. Editor: I see what you mean. It’s also a great demonstration of how artists find inspiration, even the smallest details can be the beginning of a monumental piece of art.