Standing Woman c. 1884 - 1889

Editor: This is John Singer Sargent's sketch, "Standing Woman." It's a simple pencil drawing at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels so unfinished, almost like a ghost. What's your take on it? Curator: Well, it's a glimpse into Sargent's process, isn't it? Consider the late 19th century's fascination with capturing fleeting moments. Do you think this sketch represents a challenge to the established academic portraiture? Editor: I can see that, it's like he's stripping away the formal aspects. Was this a common approach for artists at the time? Curator: Increasingly so. Artists began questioning traditional forms of representation. This sketch participates in that broader cultural shift toward capturing immediacy, rejecting posed grandeur for something more genuine. A preparatory sketch allowed freedom from societal expectations. Editor: That's interesting, it really changes how I see it. Curator: Precisely. Understanding the socio-political context helps us appreciate the radical nature of even a simple sketch like this.