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Men on a Spar

John Singer Sargent

1876

graphite

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Men on a Spar is a 1876 graphite by John Singer Sargent, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: John Singer Sargent
When & what style?: 1876 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This drawing shows three men on a wooden spar, their bodies bent as they work. Their muscles strain under the sun, but their faces stay hidden. Sargent used quick, light lines to capture movement without fuss. You can almost hear the creak of ropes and feel the salt spray in this scene. Sargent drew it while watching dockworkers in Spain. He kept it simple—just graphite on paper—but the energy jumps off the page. Look up Sargent, John Singer if you like this bold, sketchy style.

About the artist

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.

See the richer artist page