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Tree Trunks [verso]

John Singer Sargent

1868

graphite

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Tree Trunks [verso] is a 1868 graphite by John Singer Sargent, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: John Singer Sargent
When & what style?: 1868 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

You see a simple drawing of tree trunks, but on the back, there's a sketch of a woman in a silky fabric. This sketch is interesting because it shows the artist's practice of drawing different subjects on the same paper. It gives us a glimpse into their creative process. To learn more about the artist's use of light and dark, look into the technique of chiaroscuro.

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