John Singer Sargent, "An Out-of-Doors Study"
Spring is taking its time to arrive here, but I so dream of summer, I thought a scene by the water could be just what we need. At first I thought to describe this scene as warm, but our two occupants seem to be dressed in several layers; so most likely it is a little cool. The museum's description, provides the location of the scene as Fladbury in England's Cotswolds.
John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) was born in Italy to American parents, so was an American citizen, but it wasn't until very late in life that he traveled to our country, mainly Florida. Most of his life was spent in parts of Europe, especially England, Paris and parts of Italy, and here he was a successful portrait painter. An Out-of-Doors Study was done in 1889. Sargent was well acquainted with Claude Monet and here we can see the influence of Monet who often painted by the water and did informal settings of people. The description offered by the museum is that the two people portrayed are Paul Helleu and his wife Alice. To me, it is easy to image these artists out for the day, settling in the grass to paint the scene in front of them. Probably a little lunch, a little wine, made for a perfectly great afternoon.
If you read the blog often, you know I am drawn to strong compositions. And, that is exactly what attracts me to this painting. Visually divide the painting into two equal parts: one imaginary vertical line going down the exact middle. Notice how Helleu and Alice are on the right side, with the canoe and paddle diagonally cutting the format from lower left to upper right. The counter balance is the painter's stretched canvas, the narrow pole propping up the canvas, and the almost white hats. I find the ccolors interesting, too. Notice how both figures are dressed in basic grey/taupe, not colors to overwhelm. The majority of major color in the painting is found in the red canoe and the green/blue shades of grass and water; a complementary color harmony.
So that's it for this week. If you want to learn more An Our-of-Doors Study was painted in 1889. It is an oil on canvas measuring 41 x 48 inches and is part of the permanent collection of the Brooklyn Museum, New York.
Make Art a part of your life, it's a beautiful thing to do.
This is a pleasant painting to enjoy while our spring season seems to be on "pause"! I always find your explanation of the composition helpful. The white hats are also balanced by the dark weeds near the water. I find the brush strokes for grass, very interesting, with white highlights in the foreground. I believe the pole is really a fishing pole, probably taken from the canoe. Alice does stand by her man, just hanging out!!! It would need to include wine or lunch!! :) Lovely painting; influence of Monet noted.
ReplyDeleteChar, I was convinced the pole was a fishing pole, too, as it makes a lot of sense. However when I looked very close I could see that it seems attached to the stretcher bars of the canvas. So, my guess, is that it is a device for outdoor painting where you stick one end in the ground, then attach the painting to it at the desired angle. How else could the painter prop up his canvas and keep it steady? This is only my guess, as we see no other signs of fishing. Look close and see what you think. Maybe more fishing supplies are out of sight....? Fun to think about, anyway.
Delete