Study of Two Opera Singers; verso: Sketch 1870s

Editor: Here we have John Singer Sargent's Study of Two Opera Singers. It looks like a quick sketch, very gestural. What can we learn from the process here? Curator: I see Sargent engaging with the labor of performance, reducing figures to their essence. How does the medium—charcoal on paper—influence our understanding of the fleeting nature of operatic performance and its associated industries? Editor: That's interesting! It makes me think about the raw materials too. Curator: Precisely. The sketch is not about the finished product, but about capturing the energy of the performance itself and the labor involved in its production. Editor: I hadn't considered the economic side of opera before, just the art! Thank you! Curator: Indeed, looking at the materials and mode of production can unveil hidden dimensions.