Inscription (recto and verso) c. 1902 - 1905

Curator: At the Harvard Art Museums, we have a small sheet titled "Inscription (recto and verso)" by John Singer Sargent. It's undated, but the script lists items and prices, seemingly antiques, across cities like Rouen and Dijon. Editor: My first impression is that it feels like a secret glimpse into Sargent's life beyond painting. It's not a grand portrait, but this scribbled list has an immediacy that's captivating. Curator: Absolutely. The materiality of the paper itself, the way the ink bleeds slightly, suggests it was written quickly, perhaps on the move. These details tell us a lot about Sargent's process and perhaps his engagement with the art market. Editor: And each item—"Louis XV fauteuil," "mirror Louis XVI"—conjures images of opulent interiors and a bygone era. It’s a symbolic inventory of wealth and taste, echoing the society he painted so brilliantly. I wonder what each purchase meant to him. Curator: Or perhaps the shopping list of a client? Either way, this document reflects on the modes of art production and wealth of the period. Editor: True. It certainly provides a fascinating, if fragmented, insight into Sargent's world. Curator: Indeed, a valuable piece for understanding the infrastructure of art at that time.