Flora Priestley (also known as Lamplight Study) 1889

John Singer Sargent created this oil on canvas portrait, known as "Flora Priestley (also known as Lamplight Study)," sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Sargent was an American artist who spent much of his career in Europe, and was renowned for his society portraits. Here, Flora Priestley's tranquil expression and closed eyes, combined with the dramatic lighting, create an atmosphere of intimacy and contemplation. Made during the Gilded Age, the portrait reflects a time of great social and economic change. Sargent often captured the leisured class and their evolving roles in society. The painting's title suggests that it was created under artificial light, which was becoming increasingly common in urban settings. This new technology transformed social life and Sargent's artistic response can be explored through period sources such as journals, letters and exhibition reviews. Ultimately, understanding "Flora Priestley" depends on recognizing that its meaning is rooted in its social and historical moment.