Studies for "Heaven" and "Hell"
between 1903 and 1916 Museum of Fine Arts Boston
About this artwork
This drawing consists of multiple studies of male figures in dynamic, twisting poses. These sketches were created as preparatory work for Sargent's murals at the Boston Public Library.
Did you know?
John Singer Sargent is primarily remembered as the premier portrait painter of his generation, but these sketches highlight his significant, yet often overlooked, work as a monumental muralist. These figures were drawn as part of his extensive, multi-year project to decorate the Boston Public Library with a complex narrative cycle depicting the history of religion. The raw, energetic quality of the charcoal allows a rare glimpse into the rigorous anatomical study required for his highly polished public commissions.
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Studies for "Heaven" and "Hell"
John Singer Sargent, between 1903 and 1916
