Sketches of Cows (recto and verso) 19th-20th century

Editor: This drawing, "Sketches of Cows" by John Singer Sargent, features a few lightly drawn cows on a small piece of paper. It feels very simple and immediate. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a glimpse into the rural realities often romanticized by the elite. While Sargent gained fame portraying wealthy patrons, these sketches hint at the labor and agrarian life that sustained their lifestyles. The cows themselves become symbols of sustenance and the often-overlooked contributions of the working class. How does that change your interpretation? Editor: It definitely makes me think about what Sargent wasn't showing in his society portraits. I wonder if he was conscious of that contrast himself. Curator: Precisely! His choice to sketch them, even fleetingly, invites us to consider the full picture of society, not just its gilded surface. This is especially relevant when considering class dynamics during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Editor: That's a great point. I'll never look at a Sargent portrait the same way again. Curator: Art has the power to open our eyes to history and each other.