Couple on a Cot c. 1874 - 1877

This is John Singer Sargent's drawing, Couple on a Cot. The loose and sketchy style gives the work an intimate and informal feel. Notice the use of graphite to create varied tones, from light shading to dense, dark areas, giving the figures depth and volume. The composition divides the scene horizontally. The top half is more densely worked, focusing on the male figure's clothing and the shadows, while the lower half of the cot, with the dangling leg, fades into the background. The figures, though close, do not interact visually, and are presented in a way that reveals a psychological distance. Sargent often captured fleeting moments, suggesting a narrative without explicitly defining it. The sketchiness destabilizes established meanings, and the lack of detail invites us to project our own interpretations, underscoring the subjectivity inherent in viewing and understanding art. It is through such formal qualities that the drawing invites ongoing interpretation and personal connection.