Study of Wings for "The Winds," Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; verso: Compositional Sketch for "The Winds," Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 1922 - 1924

Curator: This is John Singer Sargent's "Study of Wings for 'The Winds,' Museum of Fine Arts, Boston," a preparatory sketch. Editor: They almost look like butterflies, or maybe moths. I wonder what sort of labor goes into the planning of this. Curator: Sargent was preparing for a monumental mural cycle in Boston. These sketches show his dedication to understanding form and movement for that piece. Editor: The quick lines and shading suggest a desire to capture the ephemeral quality of wings, but how do they play into larger societal structures? Curator: Sargent's mural was intended for public consumption, a reflection on the classical elements within a civic space, reflecting the aspirations of the Boston elite at the time. Editor: It’s interesting to see these material studies hinting at a much grander, public-facing artwork, even if we're just focused on pencil lines. Curator: Indeed, seeing the process is often as insightful as seeing the final product. Editor: I'll never look at a Sargent mural without thinking about the pencil miles that went into it.