Artwork
Female Nude Seated on a Low Bench
Female Nude Seated on a Low Bench is a drawing by John Singer Sargent. It dates from 1919 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
The lines are loose and quick, with shading that suggests light and shadow on her body and the bench she’s sitting on.
This sketch shows a seated woman with her back to us, one arm resting on her knee. Her hair is pulled up, and she’s holding a fan or a small object in her other hand. The lines are loose and quick, with shading that suggests light and shadow on her body and the bench she’s sitting on.
The drawing feels unfinished, like a quick study rather than a polished work. The artist’s handwriting is visible in the top corners, signed and dated 1919.
If you like this style, look up *chiaroscuro* next.
Overview
Female Nude Seated on a Low Bench is a drawing created by John Singer Sargent in 1919. It is a representation of the human figure, executed in a loose and expressive style.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a woman seated on a low bench, with her back turned to the viewer. She holds an object in one hand, while the other rests on her knee. The pose and setting are rendered in a straightforward manner, without narrative or symbolic embellishments.
Technique & Style
The drawing is characterized by quick, loose lines and shading that captures the interplay of light and shadow on the subject's body and surroundings. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and volume.
History & Provenance
The drawing is part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art. It is signed and dated 1919 by the artist, John Singer Sargent, an American-born artist who spent most of his life in Europe.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
