Two Studies of Soldier's Head and Study for Soldier's Legs Astride, for "Coming of the Americans," Widener Library, Harvard University 1921 - 1922

Curator: This drawing by John Singer Sargent, titled "Two Studies of Soldier's Head and Study for Soldier's Legs Astride, for 'Coming of the Americans'," feels incredibly immediate. The rough sketch quality evokes a sense of urgency. Editor: Yes, there's a striking tension between the vulnerability of the upward-gazing faces and the implied power of the striding legs. I'm interested in this connection to the "Coming of the Americans" mural cycle. Curator: It speaks to Sargent's attempt to capture not just the physical likeness of soldiers, but also their inner resolve and sense of duty through subtle shifts in expression and posture. The soldier’s hat, its presence so close to the man’s face, hints at the weight of responsibility carried. Editor: Right, Sargent's commissioned to paint a grand narrative of American power but we see instead an intimate study of individuals caught in the machinery of war. It reveals the nuances of the intersectional identities of the soldiers. Curator: The study gives us insight into the details, the artist's attention to the face and the physical strength needed. Editor: Looking at this makes me think about the individuals within broader historical narratives.