Self-Portrait in Profile c. 1885 - 1890

Editor: Here we have John Singer Sargent's "Self-Portrait in Profile," done with graphite. It has such an unfinished quality, like a fleeting glimpse. What do you make of it? Curator: It's like catching Sargent in a moment of reflection, isn't it? The hatching feels less about capturing likeness and more about conveying introspection. You get the impression he’s more interested in capturing a feeling. It's less about showing and more about suggesting. Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. So, maybe the rough quality isn't a lack of finish, but rather a deliberate choice? Curator: Exactly! It's a bit like life, don't you think? Never really finished, always in progress. It also humanizes him, doesn't it? Makes a legend approachable. Editor: That's a great point. It's interesting how a simple sketch can be so revealing. Curator: Indeed. It's a dance between artist and subject... and, in this case, they're one and the same!