Madonna and Child 

John Singer Sargent, an American artist known for his portraits of Edwardian era society, made this pencil sketch entitled 'Madonna and Child'. It is interesting to consider how Sargent, who was more known for his society portraits, approached such a traditional subject as the Madonna and Child. While the Madonna and Child is a classic image that evokes ideas of purity, motherhood and divinity, Sargent’s sketch has an alternative, more intimate feel. The pencil lines give a sense of vulnerability and immediacy. Sargent was born to American parents in Florence, Italy and remained an expatriate for his entire life. Perhaps his own feelings of displacement allowed him to connect with the image of Mary, a mother displaced and threatened. While the sketch depicts a universal theme, the viewer is left to consider the personal dimension of motherly love and protection.