Astarte
circa 1890 -95
John Singer Sargent, usually famous for his posh society portraits, took a wild detour into mythology with this dramatic, vertical composition. A central figure in flowing blue and gold robes stands beneath a swirling, dark mass—possibly a horned deity or bull—surrounded by explosive golden rays and wings. It’s a chaotic, visionary scene, likely a study for a larger mural, showing Sargent’s loose, energetic brushwork far removed from his polished portraits. The contrast between the serene figure below and the dark, stormy forces above creates a powerful sense of mythic tension, hinting at the ancient goddess Astarte's fierce power.
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