Study of Female Figure 19th-20th century

Editor: This is John Singer Sargent’s Study of Female Figure, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a striking charcoal drawing. What do you see in the composition that stands out? Curator: The dramatic chiaroscuro is immediately apparent; Sargent masterfully manipulates light and shadow to sculpt the figure. Note how the cascading drapery is articulated through subtle gradations of tone. Editor: The folds almost seem to have a life of their own! Curator: Precisely. The linear quality of the charcoal emphasizes the figure's verticality and the rhythmic interplay between the positive and negative space. The bird, though small, adds a point of visual interest. A study in contrasts. Editor: I never considered how much the negative space contributes to the overall effect. Curator: Consider how the artwork balances form and line to generate its impact.