Blank page; verso: Perspective Sketch of Column Bases and Pedestals c. 1910

Editor: This sketch, "Blank page; verso: Perspective Sketch of Column Bases and Pedestals," is by John Singer Sargent. It's a glimpse into architectural forms. The stark lines against the paper create a sense of depth, but the composition feels unfinished. What stands out to you in this work? Curator: The interplay of line and form is paramount. Notice how Sargent uses hatching to create tonal variations, suggesting volume without fully defining it. The sketch's incompleteness invites contemplation on the very process of representation. How does the artist use the negative space? Editor: The negative space makes the columns feel monumental despite the sketch's small size, almost as if it's a fragment of something larger. Curator: Precisely. This fragment, viewed through a formalist lens, isolates essential structural elements. The sketch becomes a study in pure form, transcending its architectural subject. I appreciate the artist's focus on basic elements. Editor: That's interesting. I hadn't considered the sketch as a study of pure form. Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: It has been my pleasure.