Studies for one of Angels at Right, "Israel and the Law," Boston Public Library 1895 - 1916

Curator: This is a study by John Singer Sargent, titled "Studies for one of Angels at Right, 'Israel and the Law,' Boston Public Library," now held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Wow, there's such raw energy! It’s a sketch, but the figure seems caught in a moment of intense contemplation or maybe even struggle. Curator: Sargent made this preparatory drawing for a mural at the Boston Public Library. The murals explore themes of religion and culture. Editor: The stark charcoal lines really emphasize the musculature. It almost feels like a classical sculpture brought to life, wrestling with some unseen force. What do you think? Curator: Absolutely. Sargent was very aware of the history of art. The figure's position is evocative of a long tradition of representing power, law, and morality through male figures in Western art. Editor: It’s just amazing how much emotion he could capture with so few lines. Makes you wonder about the final mural and the choices he made. Curator: Indeed, this sketch gives us a peek into Sargent's creative process, and the complex relationship between art, religion, and societal ideals. Editor: This study invites us to contemplate the role of art as a mirror to our own struggles, both internal and external.