View of Capri
ca. 1878
Before he became the go-to portraitist for Gilded Age millionaires, a young John Singer Sargent spent time on the Italian island of Capri around 1878, soaking up the Mediterranean light. In this scene, a local woman in a pink skirt stands atop a massive, sun-bleached white wall, gazing past a tall white tower and columns toward the dark, looming hills. The loose, sketchy brushwork on the plaster suggests he was experimenting with capturing atmosphere rather than perfect detail. It’s a refreshing glimpse of the artist focusing on everyday island life rather than high society fashion.
- Technique
- Oil painting
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