Une cascade
c. 1910
John Singer Sargent, usually famous for painting the elite in stiff formal wear, clearly let his hair down for this rugged mountain scene from around 1910. The waterfall crashes through the dark, narrow gorge with such vigorous, loose brushstrokes that you can almost hear the rushing water. It’s a fascinating look at how an 'academic' master embraced the spontaneity of Impressionism when working outdoors, capturing the blinding sunlight on the water against deep shadows. This piece proves that even the most formal portraitist couldn't resist the raw, chaotic energy of nature when he had a brush in hand.
- Technique
- Oil painting
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