From Portraiture to Landscape
John Singer Sargent, a celebrated American artist, was born in Florence to American parents. He demonstrated artistic talent at a young age and later moved to Paris to train under Carolus-Duran, a prominent portraitist. You can read more about his early life in our previous article.
Sargent's unique ability to delve beyond physical appearance and capture the essence of his subjects, set him apart from his contemporaries. While renowned for his portraits, Sargent's artistic repertoire extended beyond this genre, encompassing landscapes and other subjects. His paintings were often praised for their bold brushwork. Sargent extended this technique throughout his work while also exploring plein air paintings, watercolors, and murals.
Artistic Influences and Style
Sargent's artistic style was shaped by a combination of influences. The teachings of Carolus-Duran, his mentor, significantly impacted his approach to painting. Additionally, the works of old masters like Diego Velázquez inspired his technical mastery. Sargent also drew inspiration from Japanese landscape prints, evident in his compositional style.
Sargent developed a distinctive style characterized by a balance of focus and soft edges, reminiscent of the Baroque period. However, he was not confined by artistic conventions and experimented with new approaches, particularly in his later landscape paintings such as “Sunlit Wall Under A Tree.”
The Unseen Beauty: Sargent's Landscapes
Sargent's landscapes offer a refreshing departure from the formality of his portraiture, revealing a more spontaneous and expressive side of the artist. This inclination toward improvisation likely was fostered by Sargent's early instructor Carolus-Duran. Duran, a leading portraitist in Third Republic France, encouraged his students to paint immediately. The popular technique at the time was to make preliminary drawings, sketches, and color palettes before event beginning a painting. Duran emphasized the importance of using exploiting broad, spontaneous planes of viscous pigment, and to preserve the freshness and movement of the sketch in completed works. When appreciating one of Sargent's landscape works, the viewer can get the impression that Sargent took Durant's teachings to heart.
Sargent's landscapes are characterized by their luminous colors, bold brushstrokes, and a keen observation of light and atmosphere. He excelled at capturing the fleeting beauty of nature, whether it was the rugged coastlines of Brittany or the serene English countryside. His ability to convey a sense of place and mood is unparalleled.
One of Sargent's most celebrated landscape works is "Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose." This iconic painting showcases his mastery of light and color as he depicts two young girls carrying lanterns in a twilight garden. The soft, ethereal glow emanating from the lanterns creates a magical atmosphere, inviting viewers into the scene. This "atmosphere" that Sargent was able to create for his viewers is what made his work so impactful and timeless. Through carefully looking at Sargent's later landscape pieces and knowing a bit of historical detail, you can fully appreciate the mastery and artistry that Sargent gifted to the world.
The lighting and compositional techniques that propelled Sargent's portraiture into the limelight can be seen fully unleashed in his freer and looser landscapes. Sargent's piece "Gondoliers' Siesta", is a prime example to examine the transition between his formal and plein air painting.
Sargent's use of a variety of colors in the painting is no afterthought. The gondoliers' clothing is a rich blue, which contrasts with the green of the water and the yellow of the buildings. The bold use of color helps to create a sense of atmosphere and mood that transports the viewer into the canal. The notable use of natural light to highlight the figures of the gondoliers, and to create a further sense of depth and space is something that Sargent had limitations in exploring with his portraiture. The light also helps to create a sense of movement, as the gondolas seem to be floating on the water.
A Lasting Legacy
John Singer Sargent, a name synonymous with portraiture, revealed a multifaceted artistic talent when he turned his brush to landscapes. His exploration of this genre showcased a different side of his artistry, characterized by spontaneity, bold brushwork, and a profound connection to nature. By juxtaposing his landscape works with his renowned portraits, we gain a comprehensive understanding of Sargent's artistic evolution and his mastery of various techniques. His ability to capture the essence of his subjects, whether human or natural, remains unparalleled, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest artists of his time.
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