Study of the Crucifixion for "Fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary"

Study of the Crucifixion for "Fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary" by John Singer Sargent is a preparatory drawing executed in charcoal on laid paper between 1903 and 1916. This drawing is one of hundreds of studies Sargent created for the massive decorative cycle commissioned by the Boston Public Library, a project that consumed the artist for decades and ultimately became the defining feature of his late career. The study specifically relates to the section of the murals dedicated to the Sorrowful Mysteries, detailing Christ’s ultimate suffering.

The use of charcoal highlights the work’s nature as an exploration of form and dramatic lighting. Sargent utilized this medium extensively to solve the complex visual problems inherent in designing murals that would be viewed from a distance and situated high on the library’s wall. The drawing is a forceful and dynamic rendering, where the artist focuses intensely on the anatomy and physical strain of the crucified body. The thick, decisive lines and subtle blending of the charcoal demonstrate Sargent’s mastery in quickly articulating structure, mass, and the emotional weight of his sacred subject matter.

Created during the American period spanning 1901 to 1925, this piece offers crucial insight into the transition of Sargent away from society portraiture and toward monumental public art. The studies are often considered works of art in themselves, showcasing the labor and planning that went into the ambitious American Renaissance decorative projects of the early twentieth century. The resulting BPL mural, the finished Crucifixion, stands as a landmark of American symbolic painting. This important study is held within the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., and represents a key phase in the production of Sargent’s major religious commissions. High-resolution images of this drawing and related prints are widely available for scholarly analysis, often distributed through the museum as part of its commitment to the public domain.