Sculpture of Nandi; verso: Sketches for the Vaulting of the Pagan Gods, Boston Public Library 1890 - 1895

Editor: This drawing by John Singer Sargent, titled "Sculpture of Nandi," depicts a bull adorned with elaborate regalia. It feels like a study, but the details are so precise. What symbols or deeper meanings do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, Nandi is the sacred bull, the vahana or mount of the Hindu god Shiva. Sargent is not simply sketching an animal but documenting a powerful cultural symbol. Consider the adornments – each bead, each drape carries significance related to devotion and ritual. Editor: So, it's not just about the artistic skill, but the layers of meaning embedded in the subject itself? Curator: Precisely. Sargent captures the bull's inherent strength, but also alludes to its role as a conduit between the earthly and divine realms. It's fascinating how an image can condense so much cultural memory. Editor: I never would have thought of it that way. I appreciate learning to see the depth in these visual symbols! Curator: Absolutely. Paying attention to symbols allows us to appreciate artwork from different cultures and times.