Study of Eros for Eros and Psyche, relief decoration, Rotunda, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston c. 1917 - 1921

This drawing of Eros was made by John Singer Sargent as a study for a relief decoration. I love the economy of line here, the way the figure emerges through the bare minimum of marks. It's all about the essentials, about feeling the form rather than describing it. You can see Sargent working things out, searching for the right curve of the back, the set of the head. The lines are tentative, exploratory, but they build up a powerful sense of the body. The shading is subtle, just enough to suggest the play of light and shadow on the skin. It’s interesting that we find ourselves drawn to these sketches, often even more so than the finished work. There is an intimacy to the creative process which we somehow recognize. It reminds me a little of Rodin's drawings, the way he used line to capture the energy and movement of the body. Both artists seem to be searching for something beyond mere representation, trying to capture the essence of human form and emotion. Ultimately, the beauty of this drawing lies in its simplicity and its honesty. It's a reminder that art is not about perfection, but about the process of seeing and feeling.