Garden Study of the Vickers Children 1884

John Singer Sargent created this painting with oil on canvas to capture a moment in time. He painted the scene with loose brushwork and thin layers of paint, which add to the immediacy. The way Sargent handled the oil paint infuses the whole scene with a sense of light and airiness. The strokes of the brush create a sense of movement, which is visible in the garden lilies and the children. In comparison to more traditional portraiture, Sargent's process conveys a remarkable informality, which can be felt in the fleeting moment of these children watering the flowers. Sargent's skill in handling the material of oil paint adds a softness to the scene, which is reflected in the children's soft features and demeanor. By focusing on the artist's materials and processes, we can see how this painting challenges the traditional boundaries between fine art and craft.