Two Female Heads, Profile Right 1895 - 1916

Editor: So, we're looking at John Singer Sargent's "Two Female Heads, Profile Right." It's a charcoal drawing. There's a quiet intimacy in the piece. What stands out to you? Curator: Sargent's portraits often reflected the social elite. Do these studies challenge that expectation, offering a glimpse into private moments rather than public personas? Or is it a reflection of an ideal type he was developing? What do you think? Editor: It feels more like a study, almost a practice of capturing beauty, regardless of social standing. I see that. Curator: Right. And consider the politics of representation at the time. Sargent navigated a complex social landscape. He was a master, really, at the soft negotiation of power. Editor: It's interesting to consider the power dynamics, even in something that seems so simple. Thanks!