Chalet 1868 - 1869

Editor: Here we have John Singer Sargent's pencil drawing, Chalet. The modest scale and the way the pencil strokes capture light and shadow are striking. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: It’s interesting to consider Sargent's choice of pencil, a readily available and relatively inexpensive material. How does this inform our understanding of his artistic practice and the context in which this work was produced? Editor: So, the medium itself speaks to a certain accessibility, maybe even a democratizing impulse? Curator: Precisely. Consider the implications of mass-produced materials on artistic creation. It prompts us to think about the labor involved and the social strata represented. A lot to think about! Editor: Definitely gives me a new appreciation for Sargent's process. Thanks!