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

Curator: This is John Singer Sargent’s "Designs for Vaulting Ornament," a pencil sketch held at the Harvard Art Museums. The date of its creation is unknown. Editor: It's quite intriguing—a flurry of tentative lines, suggesting both precision and improvisation. The materiality of the graphite on paper feels immediate, almost intimate. Curator: Indeed. Sargent, known for his society portraits, also explored large-scale mural projects, particularly for the Boston Public Library. This sketch provides insight into his design process, revealing the labor involved. Editor: And the social context, too—these ornaments were intended for a public space. The contrast between high art and the workaday world of design is fascinating, the physical creation so linked to social space. Curator: Ultimately, it reveals how Sargent navigated the expectations of elite patronage while engaging with broader civic aspirations. It’s a glimpse behind the curtain of artistry. Editor: For me, it underscores the vital connection between physical labor and societal expression. I appreciate seeing how the making of art is itself part of social experience.