Dancing Faun and Narcissus, after the Antique; verso: Cave Canem, after a Pompeiian mosaic, 18 - 1869

Editor: This sketch by John Singer Sargent, titled "Dancing Faun and Narcissus," captures two classical figures with such fluidity. I love how he seems to breathe life into these ancient forms. What strikes you most about this pairing? Curator: It’s like stumbling upon Sargent's personal sketchbook, isn't it? The way he lets the pencil dance across the page, capturing the essence of these sculptures... It feels so intimate. Did he see himself, perhaps, in Narcissus, forever captivated by beauty? And what does the Dancing Faun represent to him? Editor: Maybe an embrace of life, of joy? Curator: Perhaps! It's a reminder that art isn't just about what we see, but what it stirs within us. Sargent’s not merely copying, he’s conversing with the past, and with himself. Editor: I see what you mean, it feels like he's reaching across time. Thanks for the insight!