Venice

John Singer Sargent

1880–82 · Watercolor and graphite on white wove paper · The American Wing

In his oils of Venice from the early 1880s, Sargent avoided the picturesque and touristic views painted by many of his contemporaries. Instead, he depicted Venetians engaged in quotidian activities in subdued interiors and in the city’s narrow, dark alleys and passageways. He probably made this watercolor in preparation for one such composition. The sheet offers an oblique view into a shallow, stage-like space, and it emphasizes the dynamic recession of the planes of the street. An acquaintance who saw these works observed: "They are very clever but a good deal inspired by the desire of finding what no one else has sought here—unpicturesque subjects, absence of color, absence of sunlight."

Artist

John Singer Sargent

Date

1880–82

Medium

Watercolor and graphite on white wove paper

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. Francis Ormond, 1950