Sketches of Cows; verso: Landscape with Furniture 1872

Curator: This is John Singer Sargent’s sketch, "Sketches of Cows; verso: Landscape with Furniture," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It has a very casual, almost hurried energy to it. The cows seem captured mid-thought, relaxed and earthy. Curator: Precisely. Sargent, primarily known for his society portraits, also dedicated himself to landscapes and scenes of rural life. The use of graphite on paper here points to a directness, an immediacy in his process. Editor: The very choice of subject matter—livestock—shifts our focus away from the polished veneer of his commissioned work. It seems to explore labor, perhaps the agricultural industry that supported the gilded age. Curator: One could interpret it as a commentary on class and labor. It could also be that he wanted to capture the beauty of the animals themselves, without the trappings of wealth and status. Editor: It's fascinating to see such a master engage with the quotidian materials and subjects. I wonder what it tells us about his overall artistic vision. Curator: A glimpse into the world beyond the elite circles he often depicted, perhaps. It underscores the multifaceted nature of his artistry.