Two Studies of Hands Holding Scroll for Seated Angel at Right, "Israel and the Law," Boston Public Library 1895 - 1916

Editor: Here we have John Singer Sargent's "Two Studies of Hands Holding Scroll for Seated Angel at Right, 'Israel and the Law,' Boston Public Library." The stark lines give the sketch an unfinished feel. What strikes you about this study? Curator: Considering Sargent's mural for the Boston Public Library, these hands tell a story of the institution itself. Who had access to the law, to knowledge? The hands, though studies, suggest power, control. What does the scroll represent in that context? Editor: So, the hands aren't just about the angel, but about who gets to interpret and hold the law? Curator: Exactly. And Sargent, whether consciously or not, is engaging with the politics of representation within a public institution. This piece speaks volumes about social hierarchies. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about regarding the role of art in public spaces. Curator: Indeed. These details are crucial for understanding the artwork's broader social implications.