Maréchal Kellerman Holding the Imperial Standard 1805 - 1824

Editor: Here we have Jacques-Louis David's sketch of Maréchal Kellerman, holding the Imperial Standard. It has an almost architectural feel, with the gridlines still visible. What do you make of it? Curator: It's like catching a glimpse of David's thought process. Kellerman seems almost vulnerable, caught in the crosshairs of history. I wonder, did David intend to capture the weight of leadership, or simply the man himself? Editor: That's a fascinating idea. It makes you consider what it truly means to hold power. Curator: Absolutely. And perhaps, in its unfinished state, the sketch speaks more eloquently than any finished portrait ever could. A perfect ending, don't you think?