Landscape with Goatherd

John Singer Sargent

1890–1891 · Oil on canvas · The American Wing

Sargent traveled to Syria and Palestine in 1905–6 to conduct research for a series of ambitious murals for the Boston Public Library. While there, he recorded some of his observations in oil and watercolor sketches. Ultimately, he called on the two media interchangeably, broadly brushing thin, fluid paint over paper or canvas to create instantaneous impressions. This summary glimpse of a commonplace scene is typical of the oils Sargent’s sister Violet (Mrs. Francis Ormond) gave to the Metropolitan in 1950.

Artist

John Singer Sargent

Date

1890–1891

Medium

Oil on canvas

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. Francis Ormond, 1950