Motorcycle [verso] 1918

This is a pencil sketch of a motorcycle by famed American portrait painter John Singer Sargent, created in 1918. Despite his fame for his portraits, Sargent was also an accomplished draftsman who explored various subjects, including modern technology. The simple composition and gestural lines of the sketch highlight the form and dynamism of the motorcycle, making this a rare example of Sargent's interest in the mechanical innovations of the early 20th century.