Seated Men c. 1874 - 1877

"Seated Men" is a pencil sketch by John Singer Sargent, an artist known for his portraits of the elite during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The sketch offers an intimate glimpse into male camaraderie. Two men are seated, one smoking, their relaxed poses suggesting a moment of ease. In this period, depictions of men together often reinforced narratives of power, class, and social standing. This drawing hints at a more relaxed, informal relationship, yet it does not fully escape its time. Sargent's work often navigated the complex social dynamics of his sitters, revealing as much about their status as their personalities. Here, Sargent captures a delicate balance between the conventional expectations of masculinity and the subtleties of human connection. The ephemeral quality of the sketch invites us to consider the transient nature of such moments, urging us to reflect on how we perceive intimacy and identity within historical contexts.