Head of a Cow; verso: Sketches of Goats 1872

Curator: Let's explore this sketch, "Head of a Cow" by John Singer Sargent, held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It strikes me as unexpectedly intense for a cow. The shading gives it a really stern expression. Curator: Sargent was known for his portraits, often of wealthy patrons. This sketch, though, feels different, more like an exercise. It invites questions about representation and class. Editor: Absolutely. The cow is adorned, almost burdened, by what looks like heavy ornamentation. It asks us to consider the relationship between labor, animal exploitation, and aesthetic representation. Curator: Indeed. Sargent's involvement in various artistic circles shaped his approach, reflecting prevailing attitudes towards rural life and its depiction. Editor: Looking at it now, it is hard to reconcile the artist's society portraits with such working-class images, but I appreciate how it forces us to consider those contrasts. Curator: A brief glimpse into a different facet of Sargent's artistry. Editor: A reminder that even sketches can provoke powerful social commentary.