Study for "The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord" 1909 - 1916

John Singer Sargent made this charcoal drawing, "Study for 'The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord'," on a sheet of paper, probably mulling over how to express the weight and drama of such a loaded scene. I can imagine him, charcoal in hand, leaning in, figuring out the folds of fabric, the slump of the body, the angle of the head. See how the lines are both assertive and tentative? He's searching, feeling his way through the darkness, trying to capture something profound. There’s a real sense of the artist wrestling with the subject, not just depicting it. That arm, bent across the body, it’s so full of grief, or is it resignation? Sargent was known for his portraits, but he clearly wanted to explore bigger themes too. It’s cool to see him grappling with this in a medium that allows for such directness and immediacy. It reminds me that every artist is always in conversation with what came before. Each mark connects to a history of expression, constantly pushing at the edges of what paint, or charcoal, can do.