1883, John Singer Sargent, La Vicomtesse de Poilloue de Saint-Perier (Marie Jenne de Kergolay) -- Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) (special exhibition)
From the museum label: This portrait of Marie Jeanne de Kergolay (1849-1897) shows Sargent's ability to adapt his bold style to appeal to the Parisian elite. As in his portrait of Dr. Pozzi in a brilliant red dressing gown against a red curtain (on view in a nearby gallery), here Sargent uses a similar color scheme but softens the glaring red-on-red effect by darkening the background and adding details traditionally associated with court portraiture of noblewomen, such as the floral garland. Kergolay's face is carefully observed, while her dress, flowers, and the indefinite background allow Sargent the opportunity for free, vivid brushstrokes. Sargent exhibited this portrait at the Cercle de l'Union Artistique, a select gentlemen's club where both he and the sitter's husband were members, perhaps hoping to catch the eye of future patrons.
1883, John Singer Sargent, La Vicomtesse de Poilloue de Saint-Perier (Marie Jenne de Kergolay) -- Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) (special exhibition)
From the museum label: This portrait of Marie Jeanne de Kergolay (1849-1897) shows Sargent's ability to adapt his bold style to appeal to the Parisian elite. As in his portrait of Dr. Pozzi in a brilliant red dressing gown against a red curtain (on view in a nearby gallery), here Sargent uses a similar color scheme but softens the glaring red-on-red effect by darkening the background and adding details traditionally associated with court portraiture of noblewomen, such as the floral garland. Kergolay's face is carefully observed, while her dress, flowers, and the indefinite background allow Sargent the opportunity for free, vivid brushstrokes. Sargent exhibited this portrait at the Cercle de l'Union Artistique, a select gentlemen's club where both he and the sitter's husband were members, perhaps hoping to catch the eye of future patrons.