John Singer Sargent, The Fountain, Villa Torlonia, Frascati, Italy, 1907, oil on canvas, Friends of American Art Collection, Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois
Title: The Fountain, Villa Torlonia, Frascati, Italy, 1907
Artist: John Singer Sargent (1856-1925)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHN SINGER SARGENT
Today, January 12, is John Singer Sargent’s birthday! Although American, he was born in Florence, Italy in 1856, the son of expatriate parents who had decided to permanently reside in Europe. He would become one of the most successful portraitists of the day, his clients including the super-wealthy Astors and Vanderbilts as well as the leading members of European and British aristocracy.
However, in The Fountain, Villa Torlonia, Frascati, Italy above Sargent is far removed from the pretentious world of money and power. Instead his subjects are his friends, painters Wilifred and Jane Emmet de Gehn, illuminated by the luminous light of Italy, impressionistic in quality and effect. A masterpiece of color too, evident in the radiant whites worn by the two artists (particularly her smock) to the verdant greens of the background trees. Note also how Sargent, a genius of brushstroke, enhances the overall work applying touches of paint with both energy and perfection.
CCO Public Domain Designation
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