Study for "Sermon on the Mount," Boston Public Library 1895 - 1919

Curator: This is John Singer Sargent's study for "Sermon on the Mount," now held at the Harvard Art Museums. It offers a glimpse into the process behind his mural for the Boston Public Library. Editor: It feels so raw, almost frenetic. The whirlwind of lines gives the impression of a crowd, their faces obscured, listening to the central figure. Curator: Sargent, deeply involved in the City Beautiful movement, aimed to depict universal themes of morality and redemption. The Boston Public Library murals project reflected this. Editor: I can see that. The figures here, though, seem more like ghostly witnesses than active participants, which raises questions about who truly benefits from such grand narratives. Curator: It certainly presents a challenge to interpretations of power and audience, especially considering Sargent's elite background and the sociopolitical landscape of the time. Editor: Exactly. It makes you wonder about the narratives that are left out, and how such depictions reflect the complex interplay between faith, class, and artistic vision. Curator: A fascinating point to consider. Editor: Definitely. It really makes one reconsider Sargent's body of work.