Artwork
Mountain View at Bormio (from Switzerland 1869 Sketchbook)
Mountain View at Bormio (from Switzerland 1869 Sketchbook) is an unspecified painting by the American Impressionist 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 composition emphasizes the physical presence of the mountains, serving as a documentary record of the scenery encountered during this period.
Mountain View at Bormio depicts a mountainous landscape, specifically capturing the terrain around Bormio. As a work within the landscape genre, the painting focuses on the natural topography of the region rather than incorporating complex narrative figures or overt symbolic elements. The subject matter represents a direct observation of the alpine environment, consistent with the artist's sketchbook studies from his travels in Switzerland and Italy during 1869.
The composition emphasizes the physical presence of the mountains, serving as a documentary record of the scenery encountered during this period.
Technique & Style
Mountain View at Bormio is a landscape painting by John Singer Sargent, dated 1869 and part of his Switzerland 1869 Sketchbook. The work is executed on a support measuring 19.7 cm in height by 29.8 cm in width, a small horizontal format consistent with a sketchbook leaf. Its genre is landscape, depicting a mountain view, and it is classified as a painting. The work is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The available sources do not specify the medium, technique, handling, condition, or stylistic qualities of the work beyond its classification and dimensions.
History & Provenance
John Singer Sargent created the landscape painting Mountain View at Bormio in 1869. The work originates from the artist's Switzerland sketchbook produced during that year. Currently, the painting is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains part of their permanent holdings.
Mountain View at Bormio is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The institution serves as the current location for this 1869 landscape painting by John Singer Sargent. The provided records do not list a specific inventory or accession number for the work, nor do they document any past or current exhibition history.
Overview
John Singer Sargent created Mountain View at Bormio (from Switzerland 1869 Sketchbook) in 1869. This oil painting captures a serene alpine scene, showcasing the artist's engagement with natural landscapes during his European travels. While Sargent is widely recognized for his portraiture, this work exemplifies his broader artistic practice, which included numerous studies of the natural world. It is presently part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.
Context
Executed during Sargent's extensive travels through Europe in 1869, this painting originated from observations made in the mountainous regions near Bormio. Although he gained renown primarily for his society portraits, Sargent consistently dedicated time to landscape studies. These works, often created in sketchbooks or as small oil panels, served as a vital component of his artistic development and a personal record of his journeys.
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Artist & collection
Artist
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.
