Rosina
1878
John Singer Sargent captures the vivacious spirit of Rosina Ferrara, an Italian peasant girl he met in Capri, in this lively 1878 sketch. She turns back over her shoulder with a mischievous, almost flirtatious grin, her dark hair tumbling wildly while white roses cluster on her arm. The loose, energetic brushstrokes give the piece a sense of immediate movement, feeling more like a captured moment than a stiff pose. An inscription at the top suggests this was a personal gift to a friend, showcasing Sargent's early fascination with Rosina's 'untamed' beauty which led him to paint her numerous times.
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