Decorative Design 19th-20th century

Editor: Here we have John Singer Sargent’s "Decorative Design" from the Harvard Art Museums. I’m struck by the patterns and how precisely they're rendered. What elements of composition stand out to you? Curator: Note the interplay between positive and negative space within each design. Sargent masterfully employs line and geometry to create visual interest. The repetition and variation create a dialogue on the page. Editor: So, it’s more about the relationship between shapes than any specific meaning? Curator: Precisely. The beauty lies in the formal arrangement, the balance between complexity and simplicity, the overall visual harmony achieved through purely formal means. Editor: I'm starting to see how the different motifs relate to one another. Thanks for pointing that out!