Designs for Vaulting Ornament (recto and verso) c. 1895 - 1916

Curator: John Singer Sargent's "Designs for Vaulting Ornament" offers a glimpse into his architectural studies. It's currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks like a flurry of possibilities, almost weightless despite depicting stone. I’m struck by the airy composition. Curator: Sargent's sketches reveal his engagement with historical styles, referencing Gothic and Renaissance architecture. The vaulting design perhaps explores themes of power and divine aspiration embedded in these structures. Consider the socio-political context in which these styles were revived. Editor: Absolutely, but look at the interplay of lines, how the curvature of the vaults creates a sense of depth. His mark-making is exquisite, even in this preliminary form. Curator: This sketch also reflects the era's fascination with revivalism, particularly within institutional architecture designed to reinforce hierarchical structures. Editor: Well, it seems to me we can appreciate the purely formal qualities while being aware of the context. Curator: A crucial point, I think, for understanding Sargent’s practice. Editor: Exactly. It's a fascinating look into Sargent's creative process, and the dynamics between form and content.