Two Sketches of a Bird 1912

Curator: We're looking at John Singer Sargent's "Two Sketches of a Bird," residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It measures a modest 12.6 by 21 centimeters. Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by the raw energy of these pencil lines. It feels so immediate, like catching a fleeting moment. Curator: Precisely. Notice how the composition directs the eye—the implied lines of the wings converging, creating a dynamic tension within the limited field. Editor: And the paper itself—you can almost feel the texture. Pencil sketches like this offer insight into Sargent’s working process. It makes you wonder about the kind of pencil he used, the weight of the paper. Curator: An interesting point! It is the stark interplay of positive and negative space, the deliberate economy of line, that defines its formal strength. Editor: Perhaps. But for me, it's about capturing a living thing. The slight awkwardness, the impression of movement... it's more than just lines, it's life! Curator: A lovely perspective, emphasizing the vitality embedded within the form. Editor: It does remind us that even in the sketch, there's a record of labor and intent.