Leonard Wood 1903

John Singer Sargent captured Leonard Wood in oil on canvas, immortalizing a moment, a man. The controlled palette, primarily browns and muted gold, is punctuated by the almost blushing tones in Wood’s face. Sargent isn't just copying what he sees; he's building up form and character through the act of painting itself. Look at the uniform's gilded epaulettes; thick swirls and dashes of paint conjure a sense of weight and texture. Then, the contrasting thinness of the paint in the background, just a wash, evokes a sense of depth without stealing focus. It’s a beautiful balance between detail and suggestion. Sargent reminds me of Manet, in his ability to blend bravura brushwork with an astute observation of character. Ultimately, art is a conversation across generations. It’s about seeing and feeling, and then responding with paint, or words, or whatever medium calls to you.