Sketches of Vaulting 1911

Editor: This is John Singer Sargent's "Sketches of Vaulting" from the Harvard Art Museums. It's a flurry of graphite lines, almost like architectural daydreams. What do you make of this, especially given Sargent's reputation for portraiture? Curator: The arches evoke cathedrals, spaces designed for transcendence. Sargent, through these sketches, seems to be exploring the psychology of awe, the very human desire to reach for something beyond ourselves. Does the repetition remind you of anything? Editor: I see what you mean! The repetition of the arches creates a sense of rhythm. Curator: Rhythm, yes, but also perhaps an echo of history, a lineage of faith and architectural ambition across generations. Sargent isn't just drawing vaults; he's tapping into centuries of cultural memory. Editor: I didn't think about it that way. It’s amazing how a simple sketch can hold so much. Curator: Indeed. It shows how symbols shape our understanding of the world and ourselves.