Who painted Lake of Lecco (from Switzerland 1869 Sketchbook)?

Lake of Lecco (from Switzerland 1869 Sketchbook) was painted by John Singer Sargent in 1869-01-01.

Where can I see Lake of Lecco (from Switzerland 1869 Sketchbook)?

Lake of Lecco (from Switzerland 1869 Sketchbook) is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Lake of Lecco (from Switzerland 1869 Sketchbook)?

Lake of Lecco (from Switzerland 1869 Sketchbook) is associated with Realism.

Artwork

Lake of Lecco (from Switzerland 1869 Sketchbook)

John Singer Sargent , 1869

Lake of Lecco (from Switzerland 1869 Sketchbook) is an unspecified painting by the Realist artist John Singer Sargent. It dates from 1869 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts a quiet lakeside scene at Lecco, framed by a tree and a small boat on the water.

The work depicts a quiet lakeside scene at Lecco, framed by a tree and a small boat on the water. Its subdued palette and sketch-like handling emphasize atmosphere over narrative, capturing the reflective mood of the Lombard lake rather than a detailed topographical view. By isolating the shoreline and foliage, the composition directs attention to the interplay of light on water and the stillness of the moment, a visual strategy common in plein-air studies of the period.

In this context, the image functions less as a symbolic allegory and more as a direct transcription of a transient visual impression, characteristic of Sargent’s early practice before his later shift toward more elaborate figural compositions.

History & Provenance

The sketchbook page Lake of Lecco was created by John Singer Sargent in 1869 during his travels in Switzerland, as indicated by the work’s title and date.

By 2024 the sheet was in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently held. No record of a private commission or dealer transaction is documented in available sources; the work appears to have entered the museum’s holdings through an acquisition whose specifics are not specified in the cited records.

The painting Lake of Lecco (from Switzerland 1869 Sketchbook) is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While the specific inventory or accession number is not provided in the available records, the work is documented as part of the museum's holdings. The piece, created by John Singer Sargent in 1869, depicts a boat and trees within the landscape of Lake Lecco. No exhibition history is recorded in the provided sources.

Overview

John Singer Sargent, an American artist, created Lake of Lecco (from Switzerland 1869 Sketchbook) in 1869. This early drawing represents a tranquil lakeside scene, serving as part of his foundational artistic studies. While Sargent would later achieve considerable fame for his society portraiture, this piece demonstrates his initial engagement with landscape subjects and his developing realist approach, offering a glimpse into his formative years as an artist.

Technique & Style

Executed in a realist manner, this sketchbook drawing employs soft, loose lines to delineate forms and textures. Sargent utilized a nuanced range of light and dark tones, allowing them to blend subtly to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. This approach highlights his nascent skill in rendering natural light and form, capturing the essence of the landscape with an understated yet precise hand, characteristic of his developing artistic style.

Artist & collection

Artist

John Singer Sargent

John Singer Sargent (; January 12, 1856 – April 15, 1925) was an American expatriate artist, considered the "leading portrait painter of his generation" for his evocations of Belle Époque and Edwardian-era luxury.