Study of a Train 1869

Curator: This is John Singer Sargent's "Study of a Train," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a pencil on paper sketch, measuring about 15 by 24 centimeters. Editor: It’s so evocative! The locomotive bursts forth from a cloud of graphite, a raw image of industrial power. Curator: Absolutely. Sargent, known for his portraits of the elite, here engages with the symbols of modernity and progress. Consider the labor involved in building and operating such a machine, and the coal it consumes. Editor: Yes, and how the train itself reshaped labor, enabling movement and the rapid transport of goods and people. The sketch itself—the quick, almost frantic lines—echo the speed and energy of the train. Curator: It's a fascinating departure from his usual subjects. The image raises questions about class, labor, and the social impact of industrialization during his time. Editor: It's a striking reminder that even artists celebrated for their depictions of the upper classes were engaging with the broader changes reshaping society.