Sketch of Man and Goat c. 1890 - 1916

Editor: This is John Singer Sargent’s "Sketch of Man and Goat," a small pencil drawing in the collection of the Harvard Art Museums. I’m struck by its unfinished quality. What can we learn from a seemingly quick sketch like this? Curator: Sargent's sketches, even incomplete ones, offer insight into the artistic process of his time. Think of the late 19th century’s fascination with capturing fleeting moments and candid observations. How might this drawing reflect or challenge the expectations of academic art at the time? Editor: Well, it feels very informal and immediate, which contrasts with the highly polished portraits he’s known for. Curator: Exactly. And consider the subject – a man and a goat. What social commentary might be embedded in this choice of subject matter, departing from the elite portraiture that secured his reputation? Editor: It definitely makes me think about the different facets of an artist's practice, the public versus the private. Curator: Precisely! It highlights how artists engage with diverse social strata and subject matter, and how even a simple sketch can offer a profound look into this dynamic.