Artwork
Lady Agnew of Lochnaw
Lady Agnew of Lochnaw is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist John Singer Sargent. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the National Galleries Scotland.
About this work
Overview
John Singer Sargent’s portrait of Gertrude Agnew, Lady Agnew of Lochnaw, was painted in 1892. Executed in oil on canvas, the work measures roughly 127 by 101 centimetres. It is part of the collection of the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh, having entered the museum in 1925 through the Cowan Smith Bequest Fund.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas depicts Gertrude Agnew seated in an upholstered chair, dressed in a light‑coloured gown accented with a purple sash. Her hair is swept back and she holds a small fan, conveying a poised yet relaxed demeanor. The composition emphasizes her facial expression and hands, illuminated by a soft light that contrasts with the darker, indistinct background.
Technique & Style
Sargent employs a vigorous impasto technique, applying thick layers of paint to render the texture of the dress, chair upholstery, and decorative background. Broad, luminous brushstrokes create a hazy backdrop of gold and green, while the polished handling of light on the sitter’s skin and accessories demonstrates the artist’s mastery of tonal modulation.
History & Provenance
Commissioned by Sir Andrew Agnew, 9th Baronet, the portrait was completed the same year it was ordered. After remaining in the Agnew family for several decades, the painting was bequeathed to the Scottish National Gallery via the Cowan Smith Bequest Fund in 1925, where it has remained on public display.
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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.
