Henrietta Samuel Montagu Franklin (Mrs. Ernest Lewis Franklin) c. 1898

Curator: This is John Singer Sargent’s study of Henrietta Samuel Montagu Franklin, a drawing in graphite. Editor: There's an immediacy that captivates. It feels like a fleeting thought captured on paper. The missing face only adds to the mystery. Curator: Sargent was known for his society portraits, but studies like these reveal his process. He seems to be exploring form and shadow, not just likeness. Editor: Precisely! The sketchy lines give the whole thing a sense of movement. She almost feels like she’s breathing. The negative space is as important as the drawn line. Curator: It also raises questions about the role of women in art and society. Was this a preparatory sketch for a more formal portrait that would have cemented her status? Editor: Perhaps. It’s that tension between private study and public presentation that I find so compelling here. Curator: I appreciate how this gives us a glimpse into Sargent’s working mind, a moment of artistic exploration. Editor: Absolutely, and for me, it’s a reminder that art is often about what’s left unsaid, or in this case, undrawn.