Great Cascade, Tivoli, Italy Possibly 1869

Curator: Here we have John Singer Sargent’s "Great Cascade, Tivoli, Italy." This pencil drawing captures a scene from Sargent's travels, now residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first thought is how raw and immediate it feels. The pencil work gives it an unfinished quality, like a fleeting impression he wanted to capture. Curator: Indeed. Tivoli was a popular destination for artists seeking the picturesque. Sargent, however, seems less interested in romantic idealization and more in documenting the raw power of nature. Editor: I'm struck by the implied movement. You can almost hear the roar of the water and feel the spray. There is an underlying commentary here about the power of the natural landscape that contrasts with human construction. Curator: Absolutely. His choice of a seemingly informal sketch emphasizes a direct, unfiltered experience over polished studio work. Editor: It makes you think about whose perspectives get centered in art history, and who gets erased in favor of a more idealized vision. Curator: It highlights the importance of considering not just what is depicted, but how and why, and what those choices reveal about the artist and the artistic conventions of the time. Editor: This sketch pushes us to rethink what we expect from historical landscape art and encourages dialogue with contemporary art, considering the legacy and future of art.