Dog 19th-20th century

Curator: This is John Singer Sargent's sketch, "Dog," held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: What strikes me first is the immediacy; it feels captured in a fleeting moment. Curator: Sargent, a celebrated portraitist of his era, also frequently sketched animals. This work offers insight into the social status of dogs as companion animals in elite circles. Editor: The economy of line is masterful. Look at the way he suggests form and texture with such minimal strokes! Note how the dog's gaze subtly engages the viewer. The tonal range of the graphite gives it depth. Curator: The sketch is likely preparatory, revealing Sargent's process of observation and refinement. It demonstrates his academic training melded with an ability to capture informal subjects. Editor: Absolutely, a remarkable confluence of form and observation. It reminds me that even quick sketches can possess lasting power.