Sword and Hand Studies for "Israel and the Law," Boston Public Library 1895 - 1916

Editor: Here we have John Singer Sargent's "Sword and Hand Studies for 'Israel and the Law,'" a charcoal sketch. It feels like a raw, behind-the-scenes look at the artist’s process. What strikes you about this preparatory drawing? Curator: This sketch offers insight into Sargent's approach to representing power and authority. How do you see the hand’s grip on the sword relating to the concept of law, especially considering the "Israel and the Law" mural? Do you think it conveys justice, oppression, or something more ambiguous? Editor: That's a great point, the hand could represent either wielding power justly or unjustly. Curator: Exactly. And considering the fraught history of law, religion, and power dynamics, Sargent's studies open up crucial conversations. This is so thought-provoking!