John Singer Sargent c. 20th century

Editor: This is Emily Hall's print, "John Singer Sargent", housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a very intimate, contemplative portrait. How do you interpret the formal elements at play here? Curator: The cross-hatching, see how it both defines form and creates areas of tonal recession? The artist's mastery of line dictates the viewer's path. Where do you see the strongest lines? Editor: Definitely around the face, particularly the eyeglasses and beard. It draws your eye right there. Curator: Precisely, and note how those concentrated darks are juxtaposed against the relative openness of the background. What effect does that contrast have? Editor: It makes Sargent feel both present and somewhat distanced, as if in his own world. I appreciate that tension. Curator: Indeed. The artist manipulates light and shadow to evoke interiority. I learned something new looking at this piece today. Editor: Me too. Thank you for your insights.