Leg and Foot for Seated Angel at Left, "Israel and the Law," Boston Public Library 1895 - 1916

Editor: This is John Singer Sargent’s "Leg and Foot for Seated Angel at Left, 'Israel and the Law,'" a preparatory drawing for his Boston Public Library murals. It's striking how detailed and realistic the leg is. How do you read this seemingly simple anatomical study? Curator: It's more than just a study. Sargent’s angels, specifically in relation to "Israel and the Law," were often interpreted through a lens of power and authority. How might the posture of this leg, seemingly at rest yet poised, suggest a complex relationship to the enforcement or interpretation of laws that govern bodies? Editor: That's fascinating! I hadn't considered the socio-political implications of a leg. Curator: Think about it: whose bodies are historically controlled or judged by laws, and how does Sargent, perhaps consciously or unconsciously, engage with those power dynamics in his representation? Does the angel represent inclusion or exclusion? Editor: I see your point. It really makes you think about the historical context and the subtle ways power can be represented. Curator: Exactly, and how these "minor" studies contribute to the larger narrative.