Recto blank; verso: Head of a Woman c. 1916 - 1919

Editor: This is John Singer Sargent's "Head of a Woman," a pencil sketch. It feels very classical to me, almost like a study for a neoclassical sculpture. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see Sargent engaging with the male gaze and representation of women. Consider the historical context: Sargent was working in a time of shifting social roles for women. How does this sketch either reinforce or challenge conventional portrayals of women? Editor: That's a good point. It's a delicate drawing, but there's a strength in her gaze. Maybe it's more complex than just a classical study. Curator: Exactly. And consider the power dynamics between artist and subject, particularly given the art world's historical marginalization of female artists. What narrative does this sketch contribute to? Editor: I never thought about it that way. It’s interesting to think of the subtle ways an artist can engage with gender politics even in a simple sketch. Curator: Precisely. Art is rarely just about aesthetics; it is deeply intertwined with social and political discourses.