Neptune; verso: View of Bolzano 29 - 1869

Curator: Here we have John Singer Sargent's "Neptune," a pencil sketch from the late 19th or early 20th century. Editor: It feels so immediate, doesn't it? A casual rendering, almost like a fleeting impression caught on paper. Curator: Indeed. Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, is depicted with his trident, accompanied by a putto, sailing on what appears to be a dolphin-drawn chariot. Neptune’s iconography evokes a sense of power and dominion. Editor: I'm struck by the economy of line. The rapid, almost scribbled quality speaks to a process of quick study, a capturing of form and movement rather than a finished piece. It gives a glimpse into the artist's practice. Curator: The sketch echoes classical motifs—the god figure, the putto—connecting to a broader art historical tradition. Sargent clearly understood how to tap into the cultural memory carried by these figures. Editor: And yet, the simplicity of the materials—pencil on paper—belies the grand subject matter. It brings the mythological down to earth, making it accessible. Curator: Perhaps, seeing such figures depicted in this manner makes them more knowable, more closely linked to the real world. Editor: It’s fascinating how the choice of material and process can alter our perception of such a loaded symbol.