Mountain Scene 19th-20th century

Curator: This is John Singer Sargent's "Mountain Scene," held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels imposing, the sheer scale conveyed through delicate pencil strokes. Curator: Indeed. Sargent, known for his portraits, here captures the sublime vastness of the landscape. Notice the interplay of light and shadow, defining form through contrast. Editor: The single tree in the foreground becomes a focal point, drawing the eye upwards. Perhaps it's a commentary on the fragility of life against the backdrop of geological time? Curator: Possibly, but let’s not overlook the precision of his draftsmanship. The hatching and cross-hatching create a tactile sense of the rough, rocky terrain. Editor: And how the sketchiness adds to the feeling of rawness, untouched nature... Makes me want to lace up my boots. Curator: A testament to Sargent's versatility, then, moving seamlessly from society portraiture to such stark naturalism. Editor: A compelling glimpse into a different facet of Sargent's artistic vision.