Curatorial Narrative As a product of the Baroque era, Antoine Joseph Wiertz’s “Sketch” embodies the dramatic flair and intense emotionalism characteristic of the period. The artist’s impasto brushwork imbues the figurative subject with a palpable sense of tension, as if the very fabric of the canvas is being stretched to its limits. This is no accident, for Wiertz was a master of manipulating the physical properties of paint to evoke a particular atmosphere – in this case, one of foreboding and unease. The dark browns, deep reds, and muted yellows that comprise the palette serve to heighten this sense of drama, casting a somber mood over the entire composition.When enlarged to 62×44, “Sketch” assumes an architectural scale that amplifies its already considerable atmospheric weight. The spatial depth created by Wiertz’s masterful use of chiaroscuro is heightened, drawing the viewer inexorably into the heart of the composition. This,