Study of a Wall Sconce; verso: Study of Clasped Hands 1918

Curator: This pencil sketch by John Singer Sargent at the Harvard Art Museums depicts a wall sconce, and on the verso, a study of clasped hands. It captures a slice of decorative material culture. Editor: It's quite delicate, almost ghostly. Look at how the light seems to emanate from the sconce itself, despite being a drawing in graphite. Curator: Sargent, of course, was accustomed to rendering luxury. The medium here speaks volumes; a quick sketch compared to the final crafted object reveals distinctions in labor and purpose. Editor: Absolutely. And the sketch's existence points to a system—commission, patronage, the artist's role in defining taste for a wealthy elite, and shaping public imagery of taste. Curator: What's fascinating is how a simple drawing unveils a complex web of production, consumption, and the artistic process itself. Editor: Indeed, a seemingly simple study opens a portal to understanding the social currents that powered the Gilded Age.