Designs for Vaulting Ornament with Rudimentary Lettering (recto and verso) c. 1895 - 1916

Editor: Here we have John Singer Sargent's "Designs for Vaulting Ornament with Rudimentary Lettering," a graphite sketch at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels so preliminary, almost like a peek into the artist's mind. What stands out to you about this piece? Curator: It's interesting to see Sargent, known for portraiture, engaging with architectural design. Consider the social context of public art in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Who was Sargent designing for? What kind of message or status did that vaulting intend to convey? Editor: So, it's less about the aesthetic and more about the intended audience and purpose? Curator: Exactly. The "rudimentary lettering" hints at communication, power, perhaps even propaganda. Think about who commissions such works and why. What did you learn? Editor: I hadn't considered the political implications of architectural art before. It is a good reminder that art always has a context.