Study for Flag Bearer and Soldier with Arm Extended to France, for "Coming of the Americans," Widener Library, Harvard University 1921 - 1922

Curator: John Singer Sargent’s sketch, "Study for Flag Bearer and Soldier with Arm Extended to France," is an interesting display of the artist’s process. Note the figures rendered in graphite on paper. Editor: The composition, the light, creates a somewhat detached, almost melancholic feeling. Curator: Indeed. This sketch served as a preliminary study for his mural at Widener Library. It offers a glimpse into the visual language used to depict American involvement in the First World War. Editor: Sargent's decision to focus on this subject reflects the prevalent pro-war sentiment and patriotic fervor of the time. It’s a reminder of how art can serve as a vehicle for shaping public opinion. Curator: Absolutely. And beyond the historical context, the dynamism of the figures, the angle of the flag bearer’s gaze, elevates it beyond mere illustration. Editor: It is a starkly beautiful image. It reminds us of a complex and conflicted past. Curator: Precisely. A poignant study.