Sketch of Peacock, from the rear c. 1884 - 1889

Editor: This is John Singer Sargent's "Sketch of Peacock, from the rear," a small graphite drawing. It's so simple, almost ephemeral. What can you tell me about its creation? Curator: The rapid graphite strokes speak to the artist's hand and the immediate conditions of its production. Sargent’s labor here reduces the peacock to its material form, hinting at the bird's presence while emphasizing the process of sketching itself. Editor: So, it's more about the act of creation than the actual peacock? Curator: Precisely. Consider also the paper itself, the ground on which this fleeting representation exists. How does the choice of material contribute to its meaning? Editor: I see how that emphasizes the physical existence of the sketch. Thanks, I hadn't thought of it that way. Curator: Indeed, focusing on materiality gives us a new appreciation for artistic skill and labor.