Portrait of John Singer Sargent 1890

Giovanni Boldini captured John Singer Sargent in oil with an expressive flourish. Notice how Boldini uses rapid, gestural brushstrokes to build the form of the figure, while the background dissolves into abstract marks of color. The composition is dynamic, with Sargent's figure assertively placed, yet also seemingly emerging from the swirling energy of the canvas. The vigorous handling of paint is a key aspect here, aligning with the formalist idea of privileging the artwork's materiality. It challenges traditional portraiture's emphasis on smooth finish and likeness, instead drawing attention to the act of painting itself. This piece reflects a shift towards modernity, emphasizing the artist's subjective experience and process over objective representation. The visible brushwork and unfinished quality invite us to consider the painting as a record of artistic gesture and its engagement with the very notion of form.