Studies of Quarry Workers (recto and verso) 1911

Editor: This is John Singer Sargent’s “Studies of Quarry Workers,” a pencil drawing. It feels so immediate, like a fleeting glimpse into a tough life. What strikes you about it? Curator: It's the quiet strength, isn't it? Sargent, known for his society portraits, turns his eye to labor. It’s a study, a moment captured. See how the line work suggests weight and effort. It reminds me of Millet, though Sargent’s touch is lighter. Editor: Lighter but still respectful, I think. It's almost a dance, the way they're pulling. Curator: Precisely! It's not just work, it's a rhythm. Sargent found beauty in the mundane, a flicker of grace in the grind. It shows that even studies can reveal a deep observation. Editor: I never thought of Sargent this way. Now I see beyond the elegance. Curator: Exactly! There is beauty to be found beyond the surface, if one only cares to look.