Studies of a Buffalo; verso: Sketches of Gondoliers 1871

Editor: Here we have John Singer Sargent's pencil sketch, "Studies of a Buffalo." It feels so immediate, like a fleeting glimpse. What can you tell me about its historical context? Curator: Sargent, renowned for society portraits, sketching a buffalo is fascinating. Consider the late 19th century: the American West was being romanticized, even as the buffalo population faced near extinction due to westward expansion policies. Editor: So, is this sketch a reflection on that? Curator: Perhaps. Was Sargent engaging with the popular imagery of the American West, or simply capturing an animal study? Think about how art institutions then were beginning to collect and display such subjects. Editor: That gives me a lot to consider. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. It reveals how even a quick sketch can be embedded in broader cultural narratives.