Molding Profile, Squared; verso: Designs for Vaulting Ornament c. 1895 - 1916

Curator: My first impression is a sense of quietude, almost austerity. It's so minimal. Editor: Indeed. What we're looking at is John Singer Sargent's "Molding Profile, Squared; verso: Designs for Vaulting Ornament," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It gives insight into the architectural elements Sargent was considering, right? Curator: Absolutely. You see these meticulous lines—evidence of design and planning. It showcases the labor involved in shaping these spaces. Editor: And I find it fascinating to consider how these ornamental details contribute to the overall experience of the built environment, particularly within elite, often exclusionary spaces. It highlights issues of class and access. Curator: I agree. It also makes you wonder, doesn't it, about the artisans who would translate these designs into physical form? Their skills, their labor—it’s all part of the story. Editor: Precisely. This piece really pulls back the curtain on art making, reminding us that art is never created in a vacuum. Curator: It also shifts our focus from finished product to process. Editor: Well, I see it as a window into the power dynamics inherent in the creation of cultural symbols. Curator: A perspective well taken. Editor: Indeed, a compelling work that speaks volumes.