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Friday, May 30, 2014

Four Corners and a Void

Expatriate American painter John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) is best known for his flattering portraits of aristocrats, heiresses and well-heeled businessmen. He is famous for virtuoso brushwork and his ability to capture a moment or gesture. Yet his name doesn’t spring to mind when one thinks of portraits that dig beneath the surface to reveal the complexities of human nature. He answered his critics with one painting. Check it out (here).

 

3 comments:

  1. it's always the ones that hang in the back that are crazy

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  2. oh intriguing on the girls in shadow ending insane...it is an interesting picture for all the reasons you said, but the use of space and shadow i think the most compelling to me....

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  3. Interesting composition. I agree with the some other critics that the large vase seems to eclipse the girls standing next to it... And perhaps that is the point?

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