Drawing 2 1909

Editor: This is "Drawing 2," a pencil and charcoal drawing from 1909 by John Singer Sargent. The figure has such a confident, almost confrontational stance, it's quite striking for a simple sketch. How should we understand Sargent's intent here? Curator: Given the historical context, it’s likely this drawing served as an academic exercise, perhaps a study for a larger commissioned piece. During this period, nude studies were common in artistic training, reflecting a classical emphasis on anatomy and the human form. It provided a foundation for other artworks, but the subject matter became politicised and controlled by institutions of power, such as universities and academies. Does this alter your view of this artwork? Editor: Yes, definitely. I hadn’t considered the institutional framework that dictated artistic subject matter. Knowing it might be an academic exercise... the confrontational stance almost feels like a rebellion, a way for Sargent to exert some agency within those constraints? Curator: Precisely. Sargent was known for his society portraits, catering to the elite. This drawing offers a glimpse into his artistic process and perhaps his internal negotiations with artistic conventions. This would become far less popular later. Editor: It’s interesting to think about that tension between commercial success and artistic exploration and this shift into the modern period. Thank you, that was fascinating. Curator: My pleasure. Considering the social and artistic forces at play definitely adds layers to how we interpret even a seemingly simple sketch.