Studies of Notus for "The Winds"

Studies of Notus for "The Winds" is a significant late-career drawing by John Singer Sargent, executed between 1922 and 1925. This powerful American work, classified as a drawing, utilizes charcoal on laid paper to capture dynamic movement and form. These sketches were preparatory studies for a larger, perhaps unrealized, mural project concerning the mythological personification of the winds. Sargent demonstrates his extraordinary skill in anatomical rendering and expressive mark-making, capturing the swirling energy associated with Notus, the Greek god of the South Wind. The texture of the laid paper enhances the vigorous quality of the charcoal, illustrating the artist's foundational mastery of classical draftsmanship.

By the 1920s, Sargent, one of the most celebrated American artists of his generation, focused increasingly on large-scale decorative schemes rather than the society portraits that had made him famous. This piece, dating firmly within the 1901 to 1925 period, showcases his commitment to classical themes, rendered with a modern, vigorous execution. The studies here reveal a powerful figure, likely in an airborne pose, with musculature defined by the crisp, broad strokes of the charcoal medium. Sargent’s ability to suggest volume and kinetic energy with minimal lines cemented his reputation as a master draftsman, even in these preliminary sketches intended primarily for architectural planning.

This preparatory study is part of the extensive collection of works by Sargent held by the National Gallery of Art. Due to the high quality and expressive nature of these preparatory works, they are often as celebrated as his final paintings. As a reflection of early 20th-century American figurative art, the inherent historical and aesthetic value of Studies of Notus for "The Winds" is widely recognized. The original artwork remains a key resource for scholars, and the image, now frequently reproduced, is often found in public domain archives, allowing enthusiasts to obtain high-quality prints and appreciate the artist’s nuanced interpretation of classical mythology.