SARGENT SKETCHES

The already distinctive collection of work by John Singer Sargent in the Fogg Museum has been substantially increased by the 41 sketches recently acquired. The location in Boston of the murals for which these are preliminary draughts makes them of particular interest to the University.

It is very difficult at present to make anything like a fair appraisal of Sargent's position in art. The vogue that was his a decade or two ago has been succeeded by a tendency to belittle him. Only critics in the future, unaffected either by contemporary popularity or by natural hostility to the dicta of the preceeding generation can be just in their estimate. In any event, Sargent must be granted a place of some importance in American art, and the Museum acknowledged fortunate in possessing such examples of his work. The drab mural specimens in Widener require an antidote before the undergraduate novice in art can think of Sargent without prejudice. It may be that acquaintance with vigorous sketches from his prime will aid in counteracting the effect of the pasty colors and blatant spirit of his senility.