Study of Pine Cones, for "Classical and Romantic Art," Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 1916 - 1921

Editor: This is John Singer Sargent's "Study of Pine Cones," a preparatory sketch for his Boston MFA murals. It's so delicate and precise, almost like an architectural blueprint. What visual stories do you think are embedded within these pine cones? Curator: Pine cones, often associated with enlightenment and immortality, are a powerful symbol. Sargent positions them as almost celestial orbs. Think about how they simultaneously suggest growth, resilience, and the cyclical nature of life. Does that interpretation resonate with you? Editor: Absolutely. The way they're sketched, some fully rendered and others just hinted at, makes them feel like memories, some vivid, some fading. Curator: Precisely! The pine cone, a vessel of seeds, encapsulates potential. In this context, it speaks to the potential inherent in both classical and romantic ideals, a fertile ground for artistic expression. Editor: I hadn’t considered their symbolic weight. Thanks, I will remember that. Curator: Indeed, it gives one much to ponder.