Study of Mary for "Annunciation," Boston Public Library; verso: Sketch for "Crucifix," Boston Public Library 1895 - 1916

Curator: This drawing is titled "Study of Mary for 'Annunciation,' Boston Public Library; verso: Sketch for 'Crucifix,' Boston Public Library" by John Singer Sargent. Editor: It's a very haunting image. The figure's face is so expressive, conveying a mix of shock and sorrow. The charcoal lines amplify the emotionality. Curator: Indeed, it's a preparatory sketch for Sargent’s murals. He was commissioned to decorate the Boston Public Library, and this drawing captures Mary at the moment of the Annunciation. Editor: It does feel very raw, very immediate. You can almost feel Sargent working out the pose, the emotion, through the charcoal. Curator: Sargent, steeped in both academic tradition and impressionistic freedom, brought a unique sensibility to such monumental projects, challenging the traditional roles expected of public art. Editor: It's interesting to think of this intimate sketch leading to something so public. Curator: Perhaps this glimpse into Sargent's process allows us to consider art as a journey rather than a destination.