Atlas and the Hesperides 1925

John Singer Sargent created *Atlas and the Hesperides* in Boston; a mural about mythology, it presents a muted color palette that sets a dreamy mood, kind of like a faded memory. The texture is smooth, and the application looks pretty thin, giving the work a fresco-like quality. The figures and the globe feel massive, but the soft edges and delicate shading keep everything light. There's a lovely tension, a balance between the weight of the subject and the ethereal touch of the artist. Look at the way he painted Atlas's back. That area is amazing because the line work and shading capture the strain, that’s a mark that speaks volumes about the weight of responsibility and what it means to carry the world on your shoulders. Sargent, often known for his portraits, explores a grander narrative here, reminiscent of some of Puvis de Chavannes' classical scenes. With Sargent and Puvis de Chavannes, there is a wonderful conversation happening about how we see, interpret, and reimagine the myths that continue to shape our understanding of ourselves.