Two Standing Figures and One Head 

John Singer Sargent made this pencil sketch, titled 'Two Standing Figures and One Head,' during the late 19th or early 20th century, a period marked by significant shifts in social structures and artistic representation. The sketch depicts working-class women, perhaps domestic servants or laborers, rendered with a sensitivity that transcends mere documentation. Sargent, positioned as an American expatriate artist in Europe, often explored themes of identity and social class through his portraiture. Here, the women's clothing and posture suggest their socio-economic status, yet Sargent avoids caricature. He focuses on the dignity and quiet strength evident in their faces and stances. The lack of idealization challenges the traditional, often romanticized portrayals of women in art. Instead, Sargent offers a glimpse into the everyday lives of individuals who were frequently overlooked or misrepresented, inviting us to consider the complexities of their lived experiences.