Mrs. Cecil Wade 1886

John Singer Sargent painted “Mrs. Cecil Wade” with oil on canvas sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. It is a portrait of an upper-class woman in her domestic environment. Sargent was an American artist who spent most of his career in Europe, painting portraits of the wealthy and powerful. Looking at the cultural and social context in which Sargent created this painting, it is important to note the increasing wealth of the upper classes and how they liked to display it. Consider the clothing, the setting, the lighting, and the artist's style. All contribute to the construction of Mrs. Cecil Wade's identity. The interior acts as a stage for the sitter to perform her social role. The way that Sargent has painted Mrs Wade elevates her to the level of art object, to be viewed and admired. The art historian decodes the imagery found in art by researching the social context in which the artist created it.