Study of Draped Knees for the Law; verso: Sketch for Warrior Angels at Right, both for "Israel and the Law," Boston Public Library 1895 - 1916

Editor: This study of draped knees by John Singer Sargent, meant for the Boston Public Library, feels so raw and immediate. What do you see in this sketch? Curator: I see a fascinating interplay between the sacred and the mundane. Draped fabric, especially in studies for religious or allegorical works, often symbolizes both vulnerability and divine presence. The knees, specifically, suggest supplication, a yielding to a higher power. Do you feel that? Editor: I do! The soft shading around the knees definitely gives a feeling of reverence. I never thought of drapery holding so much meaning. Curator: Drapery has always been a potent signifier. It carries echoes of classical sculpture, Renaissance paintings, and even ancient burial shrouds, creating a web of cultural memory around the subject. It reminds us of the layers of meaning embedded in visual forms. Editor: That's a completely new way to look at a sketch. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Looking closely reveals how potent these preliminary studies can be.