Preliminary Studies of Composition for "Death and Victory," Widener Library, Harvard University; verso: Studies for "Israel and the Law," Boston Public Library 1921 - 1922

Editor: This is a fascinating sketch, "Preliminary Studies of Composition for 'Death and Victory'" by John Singer Sargent. It feels like a glimpse into his creative process, all these figures swirling on the page. What do you see in this flurry of lines and forms? Curator: I see Sargent wrestling with grand themes, teasing out the drama of life and death. Look at how he layers figures, almost like a visual echo. It's as if he's trying to capture not just a moment, but the reverberation of that moment through time. Do you feel that tension too? Editor: Absolutely. The layering creates a sense of movement, but also confusion, maybe even fear. Curator: Exactly! And knowing these are studies for large murals, it makes you wonder about the scale of his ambition, doesn't it? Editor: It does! I'll definitely look at Sargent's finished murals differently now. Curator: Me too. It’s like seeing the ghost of an idea take shape, isn't it?