Studies of a Swan 1880 - 1900

John Singer Sargent made these Studies of a Swan with graphite on paper. This drawing might seem like a simple study of form and posture, but it's worth considering what the swan represented in the late 19th and early 20th century. Swans were often associated with aristocracy and grace, symbols of wealth and privilege in a society increasingly defined by class divisions. Sargent, an American expatriate who painted portraits for the wealthy, was deeply embedded in this world. His sketches often captured the leisure activities of the upper class. Looking at this sketch, we might ask if Sargent is merely documenting the beauty of nature or subtly commenting on the social values of his time. To understand more, we could consult his biographies, exhibition reviews, and even social histories of the era. The meaning of art is so often tied to the context in which it's made and received.