Caricature of Two Black Figures Dancing 19th-20th century

Editor: Here we have John Singer Sargent's "Caricature of Two Black Figures Dancing", a small sketch housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's… rough. I'm immediately struck by the title; it feels loaded. What's your take on this piece? Curator: The title is indeed problematic. How does this drawing, seemingly a quick study, participate in the historical portrayal and often misrepresentation of Black individuals in art? What were the contemporary exhibition contexts, and how might those shape our understanding? Editor: So, the title itself becomes a lens through which to examine the work's social context? Curator: Precisely. We must consider the power dynamics inherent in representation and the potential for perpetuating harmful stereotypes, even in a seemingly simple sketch. This forces us to think about whose gaze is privileged and whose is marginalized. Editor: That's a sobering, but vital, perspective. Thank you.