Study for ‘Judgment’ (1903-1916)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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Titled "Study for 'Judgment' (1903-1916)," this evocative charcoal drawing by John Singer Sargent adeptly captures the essence of dramatic intensity and physical expression. In this study, two figures are entwined in a dynamic and somewhat ambiguous interaction that strongly conveys themes of struggle and power. The upper figure, muscular and dominant, appears to be either lifting or restraining the lower figure, who is positioned in a curve that suggests both submission and exertion.Sargent's use of bold, fluid strokes emphasizes the physicality and movement of the bodies, while the soft shading and absence of a detailed background focus all attention on the physical and emotional interaction between the figures. This piece likely served as a preparatory work for a larger, more complex composition, showcasing Sargent’s skill in using drawing to explore powerful human emotions and physicality.The artwork resonates with a sense of classical drama and captures the viewer’s attention with its raw, unfiltered expression of human condition and interpersonal dynamics.
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Born in Florence to American expatriate parents, John Singer Sargent (1856–1925) is considered Europe's leading portrait painter of the Edwardian era. He was educated at both Accademia delle Belle Arti and Paris's École des Beaux Arts. While in Paris, under the guidance of Émile–Auguste Carolus–Duran, a portraitist and muralist, Sargent learned to paint directly from observation without first sketching, employing a fluidity, influenced by the Impressionists. Sargent created more than 2,900 paintings, mainly portraits and landscapes from his travels across the Atlantic, Europe, the Middle East and America.