Study for a Venetian Facade--La Madonnetta House; verso: Portrait of a Lady 19th-20th century

Curator: This drawing by John Singer Sargent is titled "Study for a Venetian Facade--La Madonnetta House; verso: Portrait of a Lady" and is currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels skeletal, almost ghostly. The stark lines against the paper really emphasize the architectural structure. Curator: Sargent, who lived from 1856 to 1925, was fascinated by Venice. This study likely served as preparation for a larger painting, reflecting the city's decaying grandeur and his interest in capturing light and form. Editor: Notice how he uses line weight to create depth. The arches on the second floor read as almost a stage set, inviting the viewer into a theatrical performance. Curator: Sargent's Venice wasn't the postcard Venice. It was a place of shadows, of hidden histories, reflecting a specific socio-political context of a city in transition. Editor: It's a beautiful interplay between precision and suggestion. He gives us just enough information to imagine the whole. Curator: Indeed, and that is the nature of the study, isn’t it? An insight into his process. Editor: Exactly, giving us a glimpse of Sargent's creative mind.