Landscape; verso: Sketches of Cows 1872

Editor: Here we have John Singer Sargent's "Landscape; verso: Sketches of Cows," an undated drawing. There's a quietness to this scene, but also a dense, almost overgrown feeling. What stands out to you? Curator: It's interesting you mention the density. Sargent, despite his reputation as a society portraitist, often engaged with landscapes that spoke to changing social perceptions of nature. Do you see any signs of human impact here? Editor: Yes, the stacked logs toward the right. It seems at odds with the wilder foreground. Curator: Precisely. The juxtaposition invites us to consider the evolving relationship between human industry and the natural world, themes gaining prominence in the late 19th century. Sargent offers a glimpse into a landscape being actively shaped by these forces. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about, seeing how art reflects bigger changes in society. Curator: Indeed, and hopefully it helps us appreciate how artists like Sargent responded to their times.