Maud Coats 1906

John Singer Sargent made this painting of Maud Coats with oil on canvas, and I can just imagine him, brush in hand, circling his subject, trying to find the perfect angle to capture her beauty. It's incredible how he's managed to create this real sense of texture with such loose brushwork. Look at how he's rendered the frills of her dress - with just a few strokes, he's managed to convey their delicate, ethereal quality. And the way the light catches the fabric, creating these beautiful, shimmering effects - it's almost as if the dress is alive, and filled with air. The orange sash around her waist is a bold pop of color against the pale tones of the dress, and it really draws your eye to the center of the composition. I bet Sargent was looking at what the old masters like Velasquez or Titian did, and putting his own spin on it. But I think the real magic of this painting lies in the way that Sargent has captured Maud's personality. She seems so poised and confident, but there's also a hint of vulnerability in her eyes. Artists are always riffing off of each other, aren't they?