Study for 'The Danaïdes'
between 1922 and 1925 Museum of Fine Arts Boston
About this artwork
A graphite study on paper featuring two figures carrying large vessels, utilizing a grid system for precise scale and proportions. This work served as a preparatory sketch for one of Sargent's large-scale decorative mural projects.
Did you know?
John Singer Sargent is most famous for his society portraits, but in his later years, he devoted himself to monumental mural commissions, such as those at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. This drawing captures the meticulous process behind his mural work, where he used a grid system to enlarge and transfer his figures onto expansive architectural spaces. The subject references the Greek myth of the Danaïdes, who were condemned to carry water in leaking vessels for eternity.
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Study for 'The Danaïdes'
John Singer Sargent, between 1922 and 1925
