Studies for "Bacchanal: Decorative Design" (recto and verso) c. 1915 - 1916

Editor: Here we have John Singer Sargent's "Studies for 'Bacchanal: Decorative Design'". It looks like a whirlwind of figures sketched in graphite. What do you see in this piece, beyond the classical imagery? Curator: Sargent’s sketches offer a glimpse into the complicated relationship between elite art and societal norms. The bacchanal, a scene of unrestrained revelry, provides a space to explore themes of sexuality and power. Consider how these themes might play out differently depending on who is included and excluded from this imagined space. Editor: That's a really interesting point. So, it's not just about the party, but who gets to be at the party? Curator: Exactly! Who gets represented in these visions of pleasure, and what does that tell us about the social hierarchies of Sargent’s time, and perhaps even our own? I think we can find new perspectives when we consider these details. Editor: I see what you mean. Thanks for pointing that out!