Woman in Bed 1872

Curator: This is John Singer Sargent's "Woman in Bed," held here at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s a pencil drawing, measuring about 11 by 15 centimeters. Editor: The sketch feels so private and intimate. There's a sense of languor and vulnerability. It's a fleeting moment, captured so simply. Curator: Indeed, Sargent was known for capturing these informal moments. He was active in a period when depictions of women were very restricted, focusing on either idealized or caricatured forms. Editor: I appreciate that it’s not overtly sexualized. Her rest feels deserved and not a male fantasy. You can almost feel the weight of the day leaving her. Curator: Sketches like these are fascinating because they show Sargent experimenting. They offer a glimpse into his process, often hidden behind the polished facade of his commissioned portraits. Editor: It makes you think about the societal pressures on women, the unspoken rules and expectations. This drawing offers a quiet rebellion against that. Curator: It’s a work that encourages us to consider the public and private roles of women during Sargent's time. Editor: It's a powerful reminder of the importance of rest, the right to privacy, and the ongoing struggle for bodily autonomy.