Portrait of Vernon Lee (1856–1935)
1881
Sargent captured his friend Violet Paget—better known by her pen name Vernon Lee—in this striking 1881 portrait, inscribing it affectionately at the top. Her wide-eyed, almost startled expression and slightly parted lips give her an intense, intellectual look that perfectly matches her reputation as a sharp-witted writer and aesthete. The loose, energetic brushstrokes around her dark clothing contrast beautifully with the pale, smooth rendering of her face, showcasing Sargent's early mastery of capturing personality over mere likeness.
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