Two Arab Women

John Singer Sargent

1905 (?) · Oil on canvas · The American Wing

Sargent traveled to Syria and Palestine in 1905-6 to conduct research for a mural cycle depicting the history of religion for the Boston Public Library. As was his habit during his frequent travels, he recorded the sights in sketches, watercolors, and oil paintings. Sargent manifested a lifelong interest in the exotic, especially draped and veiled women, and incorporated a number of them into his murals. The fluid brushwork and summary treatment of the figures seen in this canvas typify his painting style.

Artist

John Singer Sargent

Date

1905 (?)

Medium

Oil on canvas

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. Francis Ormond, 1950