Full-length Sketch of a Male Figure; Study of a Sculpture of a Female Figure (Possibly by L. G. Mead?) (from Sketchbook) 1857 - 1860

This graphite sketch comes from a sketchbook by John Quincy Adams Ward, an American sculptor active in the late 19th century, a period of significant industrial expansion and social change in the United States. This sketch juxtaposes a male figure, seemingly caught in the act of working with a smaller figure, and a classical female statue. The contrast invites us to consider the roles and representations of men and women during Ward’s time. Men were often depicted in active, labor-intensive roles, while women were idealized as passive, symbolic figures, embodying virtues like liberty or justice. Ward’s sketch hints at the labor involved in creating these idealized forms, drawing attention to the real human effort behind artistic representation. By placing the male figure in direct relation to the female statue, Ward subtly comments on the power dynamics inherent in the creation and perception of gendered images. This interplay reflects a broader societal negotiation of identity, labor, and representation during a transformative period in American history.