Study of a Visitation Scene after della Robbia 19th-20th century

Editor: Here we have John Singer Sargent’s Study of a Visitation Scene after della Robbia. The graphite strokes give it such a raw, immediate feel. What stands out to you about this work? Curator: It's intriguing how Sargent uses a seemingly simple material—graphite—to engage with the legacy of Della Robbia's glazed terracotta. The means of production shift dramatically; what was once molded and fired clay becomes a sketch, a study. Editor: So, it’s less about the religious subject and more about how Sargent is engaging with the artistic process itself? Curator: Precisely. Consider the labor involved in each medium. Della Robbia's workshop required a team, specialized skills, and access to kilns. Sargent, in contrast, creates this image with just a pencil and paper. Editor: That’s fascinating! Thinking about the materials changes everything. Curator: Indeed. It’s a meditation on artistic production and consumption across different eras.