Blank page; verso: Perspective Study of Wall with Engaged Pilasters and Panels c. 1885

Editor: This is John Singer Sargent's "Perspective Study of Wall with Engaged Pilasters and Panels." It's a small graphite sketch. The stark lines give it such a technical feel. What stands out to you about the materiality of this piece? Curator: As a materialist, I see beyond the simple graphite lines. This sketch represents labor. Sargent, known for his society portraits, is here engaging with the fundamentals of architectural design. How does this preparatory work inform his larger paintings, thinking about the structures and spaces he renders? Editor: That's a good point. It's easy to forget the groundwork in his polished portraits. Curator: Exactly. The "high art" we often associate with Sargent is built upon this foundation of material exploration and technical skill. Editor: I see this piece in a different way now. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It's all about understanding the layers.