Old Man with a White Turban 1891

Editor: This is John Singer Sargent's "Old Man with a White Turban," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels almost like a study, and I’m curious about the symbolism of the turban itself. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The turban serves as a powerful signifier. Beyond its obvious cultural associations, turbans in art often represent wisdom, spirituality, and even a connection to the exotic or unknown. Sargent may have used it to invoke these associations, inviting viewers to contemplate the sitter's inner life. Editor: So, it's less about portraiture, and more about invoking universal ideas? Curator: Precisely. The turban acts as a visual shorthand, tapping into a reservoir of cultural memory. It prompts us to consider how clothing and adornment can communicate complex narratives. Editor: I hadn't considered that – seeing how symbols communicate across cultures is fascinating. Curator: Indeed. The longevity of visual motifs, adapted and reinterpreted across centuries, reveals our shared human story.