Designs for Architectural Ornament 19th-20th century

Curator: John Singer Sargent, more known for his portraits, created this sketch, titled "Designs for Architectural Ornament," now residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The repetition of forms and the light shading definitely give me a sense of classical architecture, maybe even a bit baroque, caught in the moment of its creation. Curator: Considering Sargent's engagement with mural projects, it’s interesting to think about these designs as proposals for public consumption, perhaps tied to specific commissions and the labor involved. Editor: I see the layered lines and the interplay of dark and light. There is an evident emphasis on symmetry and pattern, a visual language of order and aesthetic precision. Curator: It makes you wonder about the cultural narratives embedded in architectural ornamentation and the socio-economic forces that shaped its production. Editor: Ultimately, I appreciate how this piece makes us consider the details that often go unnoticed.