Studies for Angel with Scale, "Judgment" Lunette, Boston Public Library 1895 - 1916

Curator: John Singer Sargent's "Studies for Angel with Scale, Judgment Lunette, Boston Public Library" offers us a glimpse into the making of a grand mural. It's a 12 by 19-inch graphite study housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first impression is one of dynamism, even chaos. The angel figures are caught in a whirlwind of lines, a flurry of motion. Curator: Right, the dynamism stems from Sargent’s process. It's about his labor and the materiality of graphite on paper, a tangible record of artistic choices. How does the idea of "judgment" resonate within this whirlwind? Editor: Well, Sargent was working in a time of immense social change. Ideas of morality and justice were being challenged. I think that the angel’s scale isn’t just an object; it’s a symbol of questioning established norms. Curator: Exactly. And the preparatory nature of the sketch allows us to see Sargent grappling with how these ideas will be rendered on a larger scale. Editor: Looking at this study, I’m struck by the fact that it reveals how even grand, seemingly timeless narratives are constructed through labor and engagement with specific socio-political contexts. Curator: I agree. It's a humble yet powerful reminder of art's connection to the material world. Editor: Indeed. It makes you think about the role and responsibility of artists today.