Jungfrau (from "Splendid Mountain Watercolours" Sketchbook) by John Singer Sargent

John Singer Sargent · 1870-01-01

Before he became infamous for the scandalous "Portrait of Madame X," John Singer Sargent was a young artist exploring landscapes. This serene watercolor, titled "Jungfrau," was painted in 1870 and is part of his "Splendid Mountain Watercolours" sketchbook, now held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Look closely at the details: the fluid washes hint at his early engagement with Impressionist techniques. A tiny bird in flight adds a sense of scale and solitude against the monumental peak.

Created during his training in Florence and Paris, this work shows Sargent's early travels. It's a quiet moment, a stark contrast to the dramatic society portraits that would later define his career and spark controversy.

It makes you wonder, what kind of artist would he have been if he'd stayed in the mountains?

Details

But here, he captures the majestic Swiss Alps, the Jungfrau peak.

The deep shadows and textured brushstrokes convey the ruggedness and density of the mountain's vegetation, hinting at hidden depths.

Transcript

This tranquil mountain view is from 1870. It was painted by a young John Singer Sargent. He would become famous for society portraits, like Madame X. That scandalous painting launched his career into infamy. But here, he captures the majestic Swiss Alps, the Jungfrau peak. His fluid watercolor washes show an early engagement with Impressionism. Look closely for the tiny bird, alone in the vast landscape. A calm moment, before fame and scandal hit.