Study for ‘The Coming of the Americans’ 1921 - 1922

John Singer Sargent created this study for 'The Coming of the Americans' using watercolor and graphite, though the exact date remains unknown. Sargent, an American artist, often depicted the exuberance of wealth, and yet here, we witness an eagle flying above soldiers as they arrive to what seems like a warm welcome. There's an immediate tension between the implied violence of war and the expectation of being greeted as liberators. The painting evokes the complexities of national identity and the varied perspectives within a society encountering foreign intervention. The sketch-like quality of the study captures a moment of anticipated transformation. The artist leaves the viewer to question whether the promised hope will materialize or if the invasion will bring unforeseen complications. The open-endedness of the narrative reflects the uncertainties inherent in times of conflict and cultural exchange.