Horse and Cow Sketches; Figure Sketches 1872

Editor: This is John Singer Sargent's "Horse and Cow Sketches; Figure Sketches," from the Harvard Art Museums. It's just a simple graphite drawing, but the figures feel so full of life. What strikes you about this sketch? Curator: The seeming simplicity belies a complex commentary on labor and animal exploitation. Sargent, often celebrated for his portraits of the wealthy, here turns his attention to the rural working class. Consider the figures: one burdened, the other stooped. What does it tell us about the distribution of power? Editor: I didn’t think of it that way. Curator: It's easy to overlook, isn't it? But Sargent, whether consciously or not, captures the weight of their circumstances. The sketches aren't just about form; they're about the social relations embedded in everyday life. Editor: So, it’s more than just a study of animals and people. It’s a glimpse into their world. Curator: Precisely. And it prompts us to reflect on the unseen labor that sustains privilege. Editor: That's a powerful perspective. It’s made me think about what Sargent might be trying to say about class in America. Curator: These sketches are a subtle yet potent reminder of the complexities of social stratification.