Copyist at the Metropolitan Museum 1908

Editor: This is John Sloan's "Copyist at the Metropolitan Museum." It depicts a crowd gathered around an artist making a copy of a painting. The scene feels very intimate, like we’re eavesdropping on a moment. What do you notice in this piece? Curator: I see a layered commentary on art itself. Sloan gives us the art world observing art. What's being copied becomes almost secondary to the act of observing. It’s a bit like life imitating art imitating life, a delightful mirroring effect. Editor: The mirroring effect is interesting. Is Sloan saying something about who gets to be an artist, or who art is for? Curator: Precisely! It tickles me to think that Sloan, with his characteristically democratic eye, might be suggesting that art belongs to everyone, whether you’re creating, observing, or even just copying. Editor: That makes me see the piece in a completely different light. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure! It's all about opening our eyes, isn't it?