Two Wine Glasses 1874

John Singer Sargent's "Two Wine Glasses" is an intimate glimpse of leisure, created with oil on canvas. Sargent’s brushwork is critical to this work. It feels immediate, almost spontaneous. In traditional oil painting, the artist would carefully build up layers to create a smooth, believable surface. Here, the visible brushstrokes give the painting a tangible sense of movement and energy, capturing the transience of a sun-drenched afternoon. This wasn't just about technical skill; it reflected a broader shift in cultural values. As industrialization transformed society, there was a growing appreciation for authenticity and direct experience. Sargent's technique embodies this ethos, emphasizing the artist's personal connection to the subject matter, and the pleasure of the scene. The artist elevates an everyday scene through the immediacy of his technique, making it a compelling meditation on the value of leisure and the artist's personal touch.