Study for one of Angels at Right, "Israel and the Law," Boston Public Library 1895 - 1916

Editor: Here we have John Singer Sargent’s study for one of the angels in his mural “Israel and the Law.” It's just a sketch, but I’m struck by the figure's muscularity and somewhat melancholic pose. What do you see in this study? Curator: Sargent’s murals in the Boston Public Library aimed to synthesize religious history and civic identity. Note how this angel, likely intended to evoke strength and divine authority, is depicted in such a classical, almost academic style. Does this choice reinforce or challenge prevailing societal views on religion and power at the time? Editor: That’s interesting! So, the style itself becomes a commentary on the institutions Sargent was portraying? Curator: Precisely. It makes me wonder, how did Sargent's artistic choices shape the public's understanding of these religious figures and their roles in civic life? Editor: I never thought about it that way. Considering the social implications really adds another layer to appreciating his work.