Study for Second Angel from Left, "Israel and the Law," Boston Public Library 1895 - 1916

Curator: Here we have John Singer Sargent's study for the "Second Angel from Left, 'Israel and the Law'," part of the Boston Public Library murals. It's currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The figure certainly has a dynamic, almost writhing energy, sketched with such immediacy in charcoal. Curator: Indeed. Sargent was exploring themes of religious history and societal structure within those murals. This angel, specifically, hints at the burdens and interpretations surrounding law in different cultures. Editor: The composition, with its upward thrust and the figure's contorted pose, visually conveys that sense of burden you mention. The angel's pose has such tension. Curator: It is a powerful representation when considering the social commentary Sargent aimed to embed within his grand narratives. Editor: The economy of line is masterful, too. So much expression achieved with so little. Curator: The mural project became a powerful platform for his artistic expression. Editor: A fine study that reveals much about the artist's process.