Figure Studies; verso: Arithmetical Calculations 1871 - 1872

Editor: This sketch, "Figure Studies" by John Singer Sargent, captures a group of people in what looks like a public square. I’m curious about the figures' clothing; it seems quite traditional. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It's fascinating to consider this work within the context of Sargent’s exploration of identity and representation. Given the traditional garments, could these figures be representative of a specific cultural group or region, perhaps observed during his travels? What might Sargent be saying about their place in a rapidly modernizing world? Editor: That's a great point; I hadn't considered the tension between tradition and modernity in this piece. Curator: By examining the clothing, poses, and social setting of these figures, we can explore how Sargent engages with questions of cultural identity and representation in his art.