Men Sleeping on Deck of Ship
circa 1876
Though trained in the rigorous academic style that produced his famous glamorous portraits, John Singer Sargent shows his more observant, travel-worn side in this quick sketch from around 1876. Instead of velvet gowns, he captures a group of men passed out on a ship's deck, huddled together for comfort. The loose, energetic lines suggest he was working fast, likely sketching fellow passengers during a long voyage. It’s a charming, unpolished glimpse into the artist's sketchbook that proves even the masters of elegance appreciated the universal art of a good nap.
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