Mrs. Charles Hunter (recto and verso) 1892 - 1898

Curator: John Singer Sargent's sketch, "Mrs. Charles Hunter," offers a tantalizing glimpse into his process. What strikes you initially about this work? Editor: The quick, almost frantic, energy in the lines! It feels less like a portrait and more like an attempt to capture a fleeting impression. Curator: The sketch embodies Sargent's bravura style—the economy of line, the confident strokes. Note how he suggests form with minimal shading. Sargent gained fame painting portraits of high society, so an informal study allows insight into those social circles. Editor: Indeed, it speaks volumes about the performative nature of portraiture itself. The unfinished quality undermines any sense of grandiosity that a finished portrait might convey. Curator: Precisely. The lack of adornment shifts the focus to the pure visual language of the drawing. Editor: Ultimately, it reveals a tension between the public image and private moment, doesn't it? Curator: I agree. It's a privilege to witness such unguarded moments of a master artist.