Anatomy and Artistry

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

So Lewis was not into architecture either. Noted. Benedict was quickly trying to learn of the man's interests to well, keep his interest. There would be a great disappointment to part ways with a taste of boredom from the other. Perhaps he should leave it open to Lewis, rather than try to steer the conversation in assumption and specific questioning of likes. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ Benedict took a sip of his drink casually enough, though he wondered whether Lewis found it difficult with most to have conversation or if Benedict was some sort of excpetion. "So what do you admire, Mr. Anwyl?" He asked him nonchalantly, his tone polite, and held with genuine interest. "Apart from écorchés," he added almost teasingly, a tone of lightness in his words. For well . . . Lewis had brought up that unexpected term earlier, so perhaps there was a reason for it. After all, the question Lewis had asked was not exactly a common inquiry one made towards Benedict. Tag Lewis Anwyl

                        the rules of society.

[Lewis Anwyl]

THE   CAUSE   YOU   ARE   SUPPORTING IS  NOT  OUR  CAUSE,  BUT  YOURS tagged Benedict Bridgerton

For the first time since the two of them had been introduced, Lewis actually perked up with genuine enthusiasm. He was still far from smiling, but there was a sudden suffusion of light in his eyes that had been entirely absent for their whole conversation leading up to this point. He had been waiting for Benedict to bring the topic back around to give him an opening to introduce anatomy again; any multitude of openings would have served well enough, but the one that Benedict had just unwittingly given him was absolutely perfect. He had even mentioned écorchés by name, much to Lewis' delight. There was no better time to pounce than this. 

"I am glad you mentioned that again, Mr. Bridgerton." His voice, like his eyes, held a great deal of new fervour that it had previously lacked. "The topic of anatomical reform is a great passion of mine, and it bears relevance to your own interest in art. You said you have said that you only... dabble, yes? I take it, then, that you have not attended formal classes at the Royal Academy of Art?" 

OWL

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Who would have ever thought that the topic of écorchés could cause such excitement in a man. Not that Benedict was judging. He of all people did not judge one's passions or source of excitement. It was just rather interesting, because for the first time since his conversation with Lewis . . . the man seemed excited. And Benedict was glad for that, even if the subject did not exactly excite him in the same way. It was always a pleasure to see another so passionate about something. For everyone, should have at least one passion in their life. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ "You assume correctly," Benedict responded. "I have not attended any classes nor have I had any formal training," he told him. Apart from the mentorship of a successful artist, Benedict was mainly self taught. Which, was why he did not even consider himself an artist. Not until he earned the title. But alas, the second born dare not stray the conversation from something that seemingly provided Anwyl with so much joy. "A fine passion," he told him sincerely, no judgement or mockery in his tone. In fact, if anything, it held a tone of prompting so that Lewis could continue to speak on the topic, and Benedict's genuine interest in listening. Tag Lewis Anwyl

                        the rules of society.

[Lewis Anwyl]

THE   CAUSE   YOU   ARE   SUPPORTING IS  NOT  OUR  CAUSE,  BUT  YOURS tagged Benedict Bridgerton

Ah, poor, oblivious Benedict. The Bridgerton brother had no idea what door he had just opened up. If Morrison had still been here as part of the conversation, he might have found some tactful way to gently remind Lewis that even if the topic of anatomy held some relevance to Benedict's interests, perhaps discussing the casts of flayed human bodies was not the best option in a refined gentleman's club between two men who had only just met. At present, however, Morrison was not a part of the conversation, and Lewis found himself with absolutely no obstacles barring him from discussing whatever he pleased. 

As long as Benedict consented to listen, at least. 

"It is not écorchés in particular, sir, that interest me — it is rather the study of human anatomy itself." His tone had not lost any of its enthusiasm or passion; if anything, it had only gained new measures of both, and he was, for the first time, properly looking at Benedict. "You say that you draw from live models, yes? Well, that is fine enough for many purposes. But let us say, for the sake of argument, that you wished to draw Christ on the cross. Indulge me — let us say that you were approached by a wealthy patron who requested such a painting. What reference would you study for that?"

OWL

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Human anatomy. Ah yes. That certainly made sense. Though, Benedict could not help but smile -- genuinely -- at the man's clear enthusiasm and excitement for the topic. He of all people understood the bore of typical pleasantries and basic conversation. It was after all, why Benedict desired something more than the society he grew up in -- and why when he had found it, he had embraced it quite eagerly. So alas, if the man had a passion in anatomy, Benedict would not be the reason he discouraged him in the present conversation. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ Though, his hypothetical question prompted Benedict to take a sip of his drink in thought. The last time he had said the wrong thing, he had clearly caused . . . well, perhaps not offense, but a certain, discouragement in the man before him. He surely did not wish to make that mistake again. "I suppose . . . " Curious to know what the man was getting at, Benedict decided to hear him instead. "You would have a better answer for that than I." Surely. His words polite, encouraging. The mere thought of ever being paid to create art was such a distant one, but of course Benedict knew that was besides the point. So he let the man continue to lead the topic as the Bridgerton second born took another sip of his drink. Tag Lewis Anwyl

                        the rules of society.

[Lewis Anwyl]

THE   CAUSE   YOU   ARE   SUPPORTING IS  NOT  OUR  CAUSE,  BUT  YOURS tagged Benedict Bridgerton

Lewis was positively delighted at the reception Benedict had given this topic. If he were to pause and examine the man's demeanour more minutely, he might have come to the conclusion that a good deal of it came down to mere politeness. Whatever genuine interest lay in the man's expression, however, was more than enough for Lewis to latch onto, and now that he had started his ramblings, he was hardly inclined to take a moment to question Benedict's motivations for listening. As long as he continued to listen, that was more than enough to satisfy Lewis. Later tonight, in private, when the excitement had faded and anxiety had crept back in, he might very well find himself mortified at how he had talked Benedict's ear off, but that had not yet crossed his mind. 

For now, Benedict continued to keep the conversation heading exactly where Lewis wanted it to go. Lewis was positively itching to launch directly into his explanation of the necessary reform in anatomical study, but some measure of a delicate touch, he knew, was still required. Before he could get to that complicated matter, it was necessary to keep the conversation on art. Snapping his fingers, he exclaimed, "Ah! Well, I shall explain. You see, if you were to paint Christ on the cross, you must know how he looked on the cross. Son of God though he may be, he was in the body of a man; it is therefore the body of a man that you must study." The Welsh accent, which had been thick enough at the start of the conversation, had grown doubly so thanks to Lewis' rambling enthusiasm. "Now, perhaps one would suggest, 'Well, ask a model to pose in the proper position.' What say you to that, Mr. Bridgerton? Would that serve?"

OWL

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Benedict knew what it was to be passionate about a subject and have no one to discuss it with. Art, for instance. Until he found himself in the company of other artists -- both aspiring and successful -- he hadn't had many to speak on the subject about. Benedict imagined that in this current crowd, and considering Lewis had not been in the company of others upon first meeting him . . . that perhaps he presently had no other to discuss his, passions to. So Benedict could at least understand and relate to that part. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ Now, what those interest were . . . Benedict's knowledge may be a bit more limited. Particularly when it came to anatomy. He had studied just like others of privilege, but obviously not extensively in this area. So instead, he just listened. Not finding it difficult to do so for it was Lewis' enthusiasm that made it easy for the Bridgerton son to listen. Benedict casually sipped on his drink as Lewis continued . . . until he asked him a question. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ Benedict was perfectly content to simply listen quietly, but now, he must respond. He asked him if that would serve, to have someone positioned in . . . the pose of Jesus on the cross. "I am, inclined to say that it may be inadequate?" Based on the fact that Lewis seemed to be going somewhere with this; leading the conversation somewhere. So Benedict just hoped he did not do anything to discourage that, taking another sip of his drink to silence himself and leaving the topic open for Lewis to continue on about. Tag Lewis Anwyl

                        the rules of society.

[Lewis Anwyl]

THE   CAUSE   YOU   ARE   SUPPORTING IS  NOT  OUR  CAUSE,  BUT  YOURS tagged Benedict Bridgerton

In his own excitement, Lewis remained delightfully oblivious to the way that Benedict was carefully letting him lead the conversation. So long as Benedict did not make an overt attempt to change the topic, Lewis was content to barrel on forward. After all, it was not exactly often that he found anyone at these events that did not turn away in disgust as soon as he introduced the matter of anatomy. He knew very well that it was the dirty little secret of medicine that no one wished to acknowledge, especially in polite society. Therein lay a huge part of the problem: if no one outside the medical community wished to discuss anatomy, then they would remain ignorant of the necessity of its study, and the restrictive laws would stand unchallenged. 

All the better, then, that he had found a man with both status and a convenient interest in art. It would be far easier to make Benedict understand the value of anatomy if he could explain its benefit outside of the medical community. It was still a delicate topic, to be sure, but at least the topic of art gave it a bit more respectability. 

"Precisely so, sir! Inadequate indeed — for the muscles, you know, grow rigid, and the position of the body in death matters greatly. Now, a group of clever London artists recognised this, and a mere twelve years ago, they enlisted the help of an anatomist and created the very écorché now housed in the Royal Academy of Art. After centuries of poor speculation, the artistic world has a true representation of Christ's body on the cross, thanks to the cast of a flayed man from Tyburn. The value of this one body is incalculable, you see?" No need to specify how the men had obtained the body. That would come later. 

OWL

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Benedict quietly -- yet attentively -- listened to Lewis talk about . . . flayed men. Benedict could confidently say that this was the first time anyone had spoken to him about such things. Corpses and flayed men and . . . well the entire subject. That said, the Bridgerton son still remained nonjudgmental. In fact, he was perhaps more fascinated with Lewis being so interested in this subject more than the subject itself. Benedict instead, listened and . . . perhaps should have guarded his words better because as the story quickly processed in his mind, he was unsuccessful in holding back a question that, might be irrelevant to the entire thing. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ Though the surprise of hearing it, caused him to just blurt it out. "How did they obtain a body like that?" Benedict paused after asking the question. What could be perceived as an . . . odd question. Though perhaps well in line with the actual topic and Benedict was not always good at withholding thoughts. Either it would be successful in encouraging the conversation that Lewis was so passionate about . . . or, it would backfire and Lewis would find Benedict to be the odd one for inquiring about such a thing. Either way, the nobleman raised his glass to his lips, quickly taking a sip to keep his tongue from spouting out anything else and let the question linger in the air. Tag Lewis Anwyl

                        the rules of society.

[Lewis Anwyl]

THE   CAUSE   YOU   ARE   SUPPORTING IS  NOT  OUR  CAUSE,  BUT  YOURS tagged Benedict Bridgerton

Ah. Lewis had figured that sort of question might come. If he had managed to weave the story with a little more finesse, perhaps he could have kept this conversation going a little longer before they got to that unpleasant topic, but they were always bound to end up finding their way to it sooner or later. Really, if anything surprised Lewis, it was the innocent way that Benedict had asked the question, as if he genuinely had no idea what the answer might be. Most people knew bodysnatching to be the dirty little secret of medicine; no one liked it, including the surgeons and anatomists who paid for it, but many knew the frequency with which it happened. Not, evidently, Benedict Bridgerton. Lewis supposed that was not entirely strange — rich families were rarely the ones targeted for that sort of theft, so an idle son like Benedict could have little reason to fret over the matter. 

That made this explanation a little more difficult, paradoxically. If Benedict had flung the question out accusatorially, then Lewis could have answered with frankness and defiance, acknowledging the sordid nature of the corpse trade with a neat segue into the need for legal reform. Given Benedict's relative ignorance, however, Lewis did not particularly want to be the man to introduce the whole unpleasant matter. Lying entirely was out of the question — even in the best of circumstances, Lewis was a poor liar, and he would certainly do no better having to think of a lie on the spot. 

The best option, he thought, was relying on simple omission. He did not need to lie, but he did not need to tell the whole truth. Adjusting his waistcoat, he shifted a little in his seat, cleared his throat uncomfortably, and directed his gaze away from Benedict. "From Tyburn, of course. A hanged man. Convicted of a murder, I believe." All true. He would just leave out the part that the man hadn't been condemned to anatomisation after death.

OWL

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Lewis' answer was not as . . . detailed as Benedict had expected given the man's interest in this subject matter. Perhaps the Bridgerton son had overstepped or inquired about a subject that was best not to delve deeper into. After all, the question had so naturally come out without second thought. Perhaps Lewis had intended to keep it that way. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ "I see," he said, having assumed part of what Lewis revealed. Benedict supposed it was merely fortunate that it had not ceased the conversation all together, at risk of saying the wrong thing to Mr. Anwyl. "Seems rather simplistic an act," Benedict said jokingly, knowing that it surely was anything but that. However, he was also no . . . expert in the complexities of obtaining a flayed body. Nor did he have any aspirations to be. So his words came out as a bit playful, meant in good humor as he took another sip of his drink which . . . he was running out of. Tag Lewis Anwyl

                        the rules of society.

[Lewis Anwyl]

THE   CAUSE   YOU   ARE   SUPPORTING IS  NOT  OUR  CAUSE,  BUT  YOURS tagged Benedict Bridgerton

Crisis averted, evidently. The tension that had snuck into Lewis' shoulders when Benedict had voiced the question slowly bled out again. The Bridgerton brother seemed almost uncommonly tactful; considering the reactions of most other people when this topic of conversation came up, Lewis was rather relieved to see how willing Benedict was to move on without further interrogation. Better for him not to know the unpleasant details yet. That could come later, once Lewis had built up enough rapport that he could be sure Benedict wouldn't shy away from the matter in disgust. 

He was inclined to reply that the act was far from 'simplistic,' as Benedict had deemed it, but he held his tongue on that. The man was obviously new to certain facets of anatomical study — for now, there was no sense in arguing about the finer points of it. "Well, you see," Lewis said, shifting back around to face Benedict once more, "artists stand to benefit from a working relationship with anatomists. There is much good that can come of dissection. It is the restrictive laws that limit that good."

OWL

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Lewis now spoke of dissection which . . . Benedict should have presumed as a natural transition from flayed corpses. But it was indeed still, somehow, an unexpected subject to bring up. Never the less, Benedict smiled, the unexpectedness of it not reflected outwardly and instead, he continued to listen attentively to the surgeon. "And do you have a lot of working relationships with artists? From what you say, it does sound like they would indeed benefit from what you offer." ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ Benedict not even thinking of the possibility to explore that. He did not even consider himself as such, an artist. He was merely curious to know if there were others that also held this, understanding of the connection that Lewis was explaining. "I must admit, I am not familiar in detail with these laws." He had never thought to . . . determine what was and was not acceptable in the ways of dissection. Tag Lewis Anwyl

                        the rules of society.

[Lewis Anwyl]

THE   CAUSE   YOU   ARE   SUPPORTING IS  NOT  OUR  CAUSE,  BUT  YOURS tagged Benedict Bridgerton

Lewis was positively itching to latch onto Benedict's confessed ignorance of the law. If he had his way, he would happily have launched into an hour-long tirade against the absolute mess of the medical education system in England and the detriment that the laws contributed to that mess — but he had made an arse of himself more than once by doing that sort of thing in the wrong company, and he had, by now, learned when to hold his tongue. As much as he might like to continue on with his rambling, he had talked Benedict's ear off thoroughly at this point. Better to let the conversation drift to other topics to keep some rapport with the man; he could save further discussions on this matter for another time. 

Resolving, therefore, to focus on Benedict's first question, he replied, "I have not had the pleasure of working often with artists, no. More is the pity." He could not exactly call himself a connoisseur of art — or even much of an appreciator, much to his friend Barthélemy's disappointment — but he was curious to know more about the role anatomical study played in it. "May I ask how you... began to take an interest in art?" 

OWL

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Lewis explained that he had not had the pleasure of working with artists and Benedict's next question came out without too much thought. That is, until after he said it. "Do you wish to?" Work with artists that was. But the question suddenly sounded like an offer. And . . . that certainly was not Benedict's intention. Firstly, he did not wish to presume that -- despite what Lewis said -- that he may be very well interested in working with artists, which Benedict supposed was the reason for asking. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ But moreover, Benedict feared it may have sounded like an offer and interest on his own part. Which, was untrue. For the second son lacked the skills to be considered an artist, especially when it came to working with a well, accomplished surgeon. "I mean, not that I am suggesting anything . . . on my part." Did that sound as if he was insulting Lewis? "For I myself am hardly an artist." Damn it all he needed to stop talking. Glancing at his glass as if he was somehow willing it to fill up again. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ "I was, merely curious to know if it something you held interest in or desired." He needed to stop talking lest he sound more like a fool. But fortunately -- and unfortunately at the same time -- Lewis had asked a question, about Benedict's own start of his artistic path. "My interest peaked when I was a boy. I would often go on hikes and the colours found in nature most intrigued me." Benedict had initially started with landscape art but that was certainly worse than his current sketches. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ "My transition to the human form came solely out of habit and convenience. I found myself sketching images of my family during different events. Spectating and taking in every detail of expression and physicality." There was partial truth to his statement; for the deeper reasons for the transition were far too personal. Benedict paused for a moment, the subject of art not one that he so easily spoke of. But, he supposed that there had been certain . . . limitations lifted in regards to what he and Lewis could speak of considering the previous topic. "My apologies," Benedict said with a small, slightly sheepish smile. "My journey to artistic endeavors is hardly one of note." Benedict felt that it was perhaps as dull as some of the sketches themselves. Tag Lewis Anwyl

                        the rules of society.