Sketches of Two Goats; verso: Sketch of a Goat 19th-20th century

Curator: Here we have John Singer Sargent’s “Sketches of Two Goats; verso: Sketch of a Goat," a graphite study. The dimensions are modest: 11.2 by 15.9 centimeters. Editor: It feels impulsive, like a visual note jotted down in a flash. The goats are captured with such economy of line. Curator: Indeed. Observe the varied application of graphite: hatching to denote shadow and mass, contour lines defining form. The verso even contains another quick goat sketch. Editor: I love the almost haphazard energy. You sense Sargent was just trying to nail down the essence of goat-ness! I imagine the paper rustling. Curator: Such sketches offer invaluable insight into Sargent’s working method. He understood goat form. Editor: Right? They're bleating in my mind's ear! It’s fascinating what a few lines can evoke. Curator: A testament to the enduring power of concise, formal representation. Editor: Absolutely. It’s like a little window into Sargent's mind, a reminder that even masters sketch goats.