Back of Child's Head, for "Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose"; verso: Lanterns and Plants, for "Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose" 1885

Editor: This is John Singer Sargent's sketch, "Back of Child's Head, for 'Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose'." It feels so delicate and intimate, like a fleeting moment captured in pencil. What symbols or imagery do you find particularly striking in this sketch? Curator: It is compelling how Sargent focuses on the nape of the neck. In many cultures, this area symbolizes vulnerability but also the seat of the spirit, a place of potential energy and untold stories. Does the averted gaze remind you of other figures in art history? Editor: That's fascinating! I hadn't thought about the vulnerability aspect. Now that you mention it, I see echoes of other artists who used the turned head to evoke mystery. What's your final impression of this piece? Curator: The sketch serves as a poignant reminder that every figure, even in study, carries a world of untold narratives within them, waiting to be unlocked through careful observation.