Study of a Quarry Worker 1911

Editor: This is John Singer Sargent's "Study of a Quarry Worker". It's a pencil sketch, and it looks so fleeting. What do you see in this piece, especially considering Sargent's other work? Curator: It's interesting to see Sargent, known for his portraits of the elite, engaging with the working class. This sketch emphasizes the physical labor involved in quarry work, the means of production almost. Consider the materiality – pencil on paper – a stark contrast to the stone the worker extracts. How does this contrast inform your understanding? Editor: It makes me think about value, both artistic and economic. Thanks, that's really insightful!