Studies of Clasped Hands, for "Apollo and the Muses," Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 1916 - 1921

Curator: This is John Singer Sargent's "Studies of Clasped Hands, for 'Apollo and the Muses,' Museum of Fine Arts, Boston," a pencil study residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s striking—the hands seem to convey such a range of emotion, from support to perhaps constraint. Curator: Absolutely. These studies are preparatory drawings. Sargent's murals, particularly in institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts, played a crucial role in shaping public perceptions of art and civic identity. Editor: I see how he’s exploring the power dynamics inherent in touch. Whose hands are these? What are their relationships? Curator: Exactly! Sargent's art often subtly questions the social codes of his time, especially around gender and class. These hands become a site of intersectional narratives. Editor: Looking at the details, I’m struck by how those small gestures speak volumes about human connection and social performance. Curator: Yes, it is a small study with a strong statement, indeed. Editor: It makes you think about the power of touch in a world that’s becoming increasingly disconnected.