Polly Barnard (also known as study for Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose) 1885

John Singer Sargent made this pencil drawing of Polly Barnard as a study for his painting Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose. Sargent, an American expatriate, spent much of his career in Europe, capturing the Belle Époque's aristocratic and artistic circles. Here, we see a quick sketch, indicative of the academic methods of the time; life-drawing and preparatory sketches were considered essential for any aspiring artist. The sketch highlights the artist's focus on capturing the sitter's likeness and pose, but it also speaks to the social context of portraiture. Sargent's portraits often reflected the wealth and status of his subjects, reinforcing social hierarchies. Understanding this work benefits from studying not only Sargent's biography but also the art market and exhibition culture of late 19th-century Britain. Art history helps us understand how art is always embedded in particular social and institutional circumstances.