Horse Grazing 1871

Curator: This graphite drawing is titled "Horse Grazing" by John Singer Sargent. Editor: It feels so immediate, almost fleeting. The lines are quick, capturing the horse's form so economically. Curator: Indeed. It's a small work, about 9.5 by 15 cm. What's striking is how Sargent, celebrated for his society portraits, turns his attention to working animals. These horses, likely used for labor, are rendered with the same keen observational skill. Editor: You can sense the weight of the saddle, the texture of the fur suggested through these hatching techniques. It is a study in light and form using the simplest of materials. Curator: I agree. It underscores how materials shape our perception of the subject. Graphite on paper allows for a certain intimacy that oil on canvas might not. Editor: Absolutely. The sketch captures a candid moment, a simple scene of everyday labor and quietude. Curator: A moment offering a rare glimpse into Sargent's broader interests beyond the gilded world, through the lens of humble working equines. Editor: And highlighting the artist's mastery, regardless of subject or scale.