Artwork
Bay of Uri, Brunnen (from Switzerland 1870 Sketchbook)
Bay of Uri, Brunnen (from Switzerland 1870 Sketchbook) is an unspecified painting by the Impressionist artist John Singer Sargent. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
It is currently held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, offering insight into his early artistic explorations.
John Singer Sargent's Bay of Uri, Brunnen (from Switzerland 1870 Sketchbook) is a watercolor landscape created in 1870. This work captures a mountainous vista, forming part of the American expatriate artist's extensive landscape studies. While Sargent is primarily recognized for his society portraiture, this piece demonstrates his engagement with natural scenery. It is currently held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, offering insight into his early artistic explorations.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents a tranquil lake scene, dominated by a majestic mountain range in the background. The calm water of the lake mirrors the hues of the peaks, fostering a sense of visual harmony. A small boat on the water provides a point of reference, emphasizing the grand scale of the surrounding landscape. The overall composition evokes an atmosphere of serenity and natural grandeur, inviting contemplation of the alpine environment.
Technique & Style
Rendered in watercolor, this work showcases Sargent's approach to capturing light and atmosphere, aligning with principles often associated with Impressionism. The mountains are depicted using shades of blue and grey, complemented by touches of brown and green on their slopes. The artist's deliberate use of color and compositional elements effectively creates depth and perspective, drawing the viewer into the expansive natural setting and reflecting the subtle interplay of light.
Context
Created during Sargent's travels, this watercolor belongs to a period when the artist extensively documented European landscapes. Though he later became renowned for his portraits of high society, his early career and travels yielded numerous landscape studies, sketches, and watercolors. This particular work originates from his 1870 Switzerland sketchbook, illustrating his broader artistic practice beyond formal portrait commissions and his continuous engagement with diverse subjects.
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.
