At Torre Galli. Ladies in a Garden 1910

John Singer Sargent gave us "At Torre Galli. Ladies in a Garden" in oil on canvas, and it's like stepping into a sun-drenched daydream. Look at the way he handles the paint – loose, confident strokes that suggest more than they define. It's all about capturing a fleeting moment, a feeling. The garden is alive with texture. The columns have solid strokes, the foliage a flurry of greens and browns, almost impressionistic. Notice that pale figure sitting on the paving in the foreground; the light reflecting on the white cloth pooling around her is gorgeous. Is she waiting, resting or contemplating? It’s a quiet, personal moment, observed from an intimate distance. Sargent's ability to evoke mood through light and color reminds me a little of Manet. Both artists were masters of capturing the nuances of modern life, embracing suggestion and ambiguity over rigid detail.