Studies of Rocks 1871

Curator: This is John Singer Sargent's "Studies of Rocks," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My initial impression is one of starkness; the composition is very elemental, almost austere. Curator: Indeed. Sargent's close attention to form and the subtle gradations of light are remarkable. Notice how he uses cross-hatching to define the volume and texture. Editor: I wonder about the context. Was Sargent drawn to depict the quiet resistance of nature amid the industrial era, or perhaps the lasting impact of geological forces on colonized land? Curator: The work speaks to the fundamental structures of the natural world through its lines and composition alone. Editor: Perhaps, but the historical backdrop cannot be fully divorced from our understanding. Curator: Ultimately, it’s a fascinating study in pure form. Editor: Yes, and a reminder of the narratives embedded even in seemingly simple subjects.