Study for North Wall with Side Walls, Special Collection Hall, Boston Public Library 1890 - 1895

Curator: Sargent's 'Study for North Wall with Side Walls, Special Collection Hall, Boston Public Library' shows, well, a library wall. It's currently held at the Harvard Art Museums, offering a glimpse into the artist's process. Editor: My first thought is… dreamy! Almost ethereal. It feels like a memory fading, the colours so muted and soft. Like looking at a fresco through time. Curator: Absolutely. It’s fascinating to see how Sargent grapples with depicting such a grand public space. The sketchiness is very revealing. Think about how libraries are traditionally these imposing symbols of civic authority. Editor: But here, it’s softened, almost… democratized? The figures are ghostly, approachable. It's like an invitation to step inside the world of thought, not a lecture about how you must do so. Curator: I agree. You can really see his interest in how the mural program would interact with the architecture and the visitor experience. Editor: What strikes me is the quiet, almost meditative quality. Even in its unfinished state, it whispers of stories waiting to be discovered. It makes you want to pull up a chair and just… be. Curator: A beautifully put, and fitting sentiment to leave us with. Editor: It's been a joy sharing the canvas with you.