Studies of Oxen; verso: Studies of Animals and Faces 1872

Editor: Here we have John Singer Sargent’s "Studies of Oxen," a sketch done with graphite. The oxen seem so relaxed, almost melancholic. What do you make of Sargent’s choice of subject? Curator: The selection of oxen reflects a broader artistic interest in agrarian life and the depiction of animals as symbols of labor and the natural world. What role did these images of animals play in the burgeoning urban-industrial context of the late 19th century? Editor: Were these kinds of sketches commonly displayed in galleries? Curator: Perhaps not directly. Drawings like these often served as preparatory studies. They allow us a glimpse into the artist's process. The flip side of the page even contains further studies, this time of animals and faces. Editor: It’s interesting how sketches allow us to see the artist's initial ideas and process. Curator: Exactly! They offer a unique lens through which to view the artist's world.