Farm Wagon 1871 - 1872

Curator: John Singer Sargent's "Farm Wagon," held here at the Harvard Art Museums, presents us with a simple graphite study measuring roughly 10 by 17 centimeters. Editor: There's a quiet, almost melancholic mood to it. The stark lines against the blank paper really emphasize the wagon's isolation. Curator: Indeed. Sargent’s choice of graphite allows for delicate shading, emphasizing the object’s form. It perhaps offers insight into the working class's role in society during his time. Editor: It is interesting to see how the composition is balanced. The wagon isn't centered, but rather positioned to allow our eyes to wander over the surrounding sketched ground. Curator: Consider also the materiality, the very texture of the paper. It's not just a drawing of a wagon; it's an object about labor and rural life depicted with precision. Editor: Thinking about it all, it's like a momentary pause, captured in graphite, away from the bustle, focusing instead on the tools of everyday existence. Curator: I quite agree. Sargent provides us with a valuable glimpse into the past through a carefully considered artistic vision.