![Musée No:792.017](http://www.museehome.co.uk/cdn/shop/products/792.017_{width}x.jpg?v=1605206986)
Musée No:792.017
Regular price £25.00In Mourning
Artist: given as Anonymous, (but signed John S Sargent)
Date: Late 19th Century
The source of this painting has it referenced as 'Artist Unknown' however there is a relatively clear signature bottom right : John S Sargent. If the signature is correct and maybe just missed as this is not a work on display to the public, it would refer to John Singer Sargent, 1856 - 1925. He was an American expatriate artist considered the "leading portrait painter of his generation" for his evocations of Edwardian-era luxury. He painted nearly a thousand oil paintings and more than 2,000 watercolours, as well as sketches and charcoal drawings. His works show worldwide travel, from Venice to the Tyrol, Corfu, the Middle East, Montana, Maine, and Florida.
Sargent's early enthusiasm was for landscapes, as shown by his numerous sketches of mountains, seascapes, and buildings. In 1879 he was a part of Carolus-Duran’s atelier in Paris where he painted a portrait of his teacher to much acclaim. Carolus-Duran's expertise in portraiture finally influenced Sargent in that direction. His best portraits reveal the individuality and personality of the sitters; his most ardent admirers think he is matched in this only by Velázquez.
But in a way even more importantly - who is this young woman in grief? Who is she mourning? Why is she looking at us so directly and intently?