Artwork
Girl Fishing
Girl Fishing is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist John Singer Sargent. It dates from 1913 and is held in the collection of the Nationalmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1913, *Girl Fishing* is an oil painting by John Singer Sargent, an American artist who spent much of his career abroad. The work portrays a solitary figure on a coastal rock, emphasizing a quiet moment of leisure. It is part of the Nationalmuseum’s collection in Stockholm and exemplifies Sargent’s interest in everyday scenes rendered in an Impressionist manner.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a young girl turned away from the viewer, standing on a rugged shoreline while holding a fishing rod. Her posture and the calm sea suggest a contemplative pause in an otherwise active pastime, inviting reflection on the relationship between youth, nature, and the simple pleasure of fishing.
Technique & Style
Sargent employs a loose yet controlled brushwork typical of American Impressionism, using a palette of warm ochres for the dress against cool blues and grays of rock and water. The handling of light captures the subtle shifts of atmosphere, while the muted tonal range conveys a sense of stillness without sacrificing detail.
History & Provenance
Painted during a period when Sargent was traveling extensively across Europe, the piece reflects his fascination with coastal locales. After its creation, the painting entered private hands before being acquired by Sweden’s Nationalmuseum, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s representation of early‑20th‑century American art.
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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.
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