Study for "Dogma of the Redemption: Frieze of Angels" [recto]

Study for "Dogma of the Redemption: Frieze of Angels" [recto] is a significant preparatory drawing by John Singer Sargent, executed between 1895 and 1903. This meticulous work, rendered exclusively in charcoal on laid paper, exemplifies Sargent’s dedicated study of form necessary for his monumental public commissions. Classified as an American drawing created during the late Victorian era, the work represents a pivotal transitional phase in the artist’s output, bridging the aesthetic sensibilities prevalent between 1876 to 1900 and the dawn of the new century. The drawing serves as a crucial component in the planning of the elaborate Dogma of the Redemption mural cycle located in the Boston Public Library.

Sargent devoted nearly three decades to the completion of this sweeping mural project, a task requiring intensive scholarly research and countless preliminary sketches. The composition here focuses specifically on the large-scale angelic figures designed for the frieze element flanking the central Dogma panel. The careful, precise application of charcoal demonstrates Sargent’s mastery in modeling volume, analyzing the fall of heavy drapery, and capturing anatomical details before transferring the design to the final, painted surface. This particular study, evident on the recto side, captures the soaring movement and inherent grace intended for the finished installation, illustrating the artist’s reliance on traditional academic methods even when executing complex decorative schemas.

As a vital example of turn-of-the-century American draftsmanship, this piece provides profound insight into the ambitious working methods of one of the era’s most celebrated artists. The National Gallery of Art proudly holds this important drawing in its permanent collection. Due to its historical significance and the extended timeline of its creation, this type of preparatory artwork is frequently digitized, allowing scholars access to high-resolution images. Consequently, quality prints and reproductions of this essential study are often available within the public domain, extending the legacy of Sargent's powerful decorative projects to a wider audience.