Sketch of a Balustrade, San Domenico e Sisto, Rome c. 1907

Curator: John Singer Sargent's "Sketch of a Balustrade, San Domenico e Sisto, Rome," now residing at the Harvard Art Museums, captures a moment of architectural study. Editor: The quick, almost nonchalant lines give the impression of a fleeting glimpse, a study in mass and form, but the orbs on top look like skulls. Curator: The juxtaposition of sharp angles and the smooth, rounded orbs does create a visual tension, I agree. Notice how Sargent uses varied line weights to define depth. Editor: Indeed, he hints at a grander structure, a power beyond the sketch itself. The balustrade, as a symbol, has always denoted boundaries and order, don't you think? Curator: Precisely. The composition leads the eye in a circular movement, contained and complete. The structure itself is a kind of frame within the frame. Editor: In this sense, the balustrade serves as a barrier but also as a stage, implying unseen stories beyond the architecture. It resonates with the solemnity of Rome itself. Curator: It is a fascinating dance between representation and suggestion, revealing not only the structure but also the artist's eye. Editor: Absolutely, and thinking about it that way gives the image another symbolic layer. It's not just architecture, but also a reflection of the viewer's perspective.