Description:
John Singer Sargent (American, 1856-1925)
Portrait of Willia Alice Wilson Page (1858-1942)
Signed "John S. Sargent" l.l. and dated "1919" l.r., with a label from Copley
Gallery, Boston, affixed to the backing.
Charcoal on laid paper, sheet size 24 x 18 in. (61.0 x 45.7 cm),framed.
Condition: Foxing.
N.B. The sitter was the wife of Walter Hines Page, one-time ambassador to Great Britain and partner in the publishing firm of Doubleday, Page, and Co. John Singer Sargent remained in great demand throughout his career as a portrait artist for the leading individuals of his day. Over time Sargent came to prefer making charcoal drawings of his subjects. He could complete these portraits relatively quickly, often in one sitting, and the medium was very well suited both to his technical virtuosity and his adeptness at capturing his subject. Between 1910 and 1925 Sargent made over 500 such portrait drawings, while limiting his oil portraits to under thirty (1).
1. Sargent Portrait Drawings, Forty-two Works by John Singer Sargent, Selected and with an introduction by Trevor J. Fairbrother (New York: Dover Publications, 1983).
Estimate $6,000-8,000
Out of the frame the sheet is laid Ingres Arches with watermarks. It has been laid onto paperboard. It measures 23 7/8 x 18 inches. In addition to the foxing, there is soiling or mold growth to the upper third of the sheet.
The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.