Motorcycle 1918

This pencil sketch of a motorcycle was made by John Singer Sargent around 1918 and feels like a quick study of form and light. The beauty of the drawing lies in its simplicity. The lines are delicate, almost tentative, as if Sargent is feeling his way around the subject, trying to capture its essence with a minimal number of strokes. Look at the front wheel; it's not a perfect circle, but rather a series of broken lines that suggest roundness and movement. The shadows are rendered with a similar economy, creating a sense of depth and volume. What I find interesting about this sketch is its unfinished quality. It's not a polished, idealized representation of a motorcycle, but rather a glimpse into the artist's process, a moment of exploration and discovery. It reminds me of some of Picasso's early sketches, where he was experimenting with form and perspective. This piece leaves room for our imagination to fill in the gaps.