Three Studies of Cows 20 - 1872

Curator: This is John Singer Sargent's "Three Studies of Cows," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s charming! The sketchy lines capture a sense of rural tranquility. I’m particularly drawn to the cowbell, such an age-old symbol of pastoral life. Curator: Indeed, Sargent was likely sketching these cows en plein air, capturing the nuances of rural life. The sketch offers insight into Sargent's wider fascination with the symbolism of the natural world and the rise of agrarian culture. Editor: Absolutely, the humble cow becomes an emblem of tradition. The cow is such an ancient symbol. Its presence in art acts as an ancient connection to our primal origins. It reminds us of humanity's dependency on these animals and our closeness to Earth. Curator: The way he renders them, particularly with those emphatic lines, it's clear he viewed them as more than just livestock. Editor: I agree. It's about respect, perhaps even reverence, for the animal and its role in our cultural memory. Curator: It gives you a lot to chew on, even in this simple sketch. Editor: Exactly, and it makes one reflect on what we risk losing as we drift further from those rural roots.