An Archway

Details

JOHN SINGER SARGENT (1856-1925)
An Archway
oil on canvas
18 1/2 x 14 1/4 in. (46.9 x 36.2 cm.)
Painted circa 1879-80

Provenance

Violet Sargent Ormond (sister of the artist, 1925).
Jean-Louis Ormond, Vevey (son of the above, 1955).
Private collection (by descent from the above, 1986).
Coe Kerr Gallery, New York (acquired from above, 1987).
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Spiro, New York (1990).
A.J. Kollar Fine Paintings, Seattle.
Acquired from the above by the late owner, 2002.

Literature

R. Ormond and E. Kilmurray, John Singer Sargent: Figures and Landscapes, 1874-1882: The Complete Paintings, vol. IV, New Haven, 2006, pp. 242 and 408, no. 755 (illustrated, p. 242).

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Conditions of sale

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Lot Essay

Richard Ormond writes of the present work, "This imposing archway appears to be the entrance to a church or public building. Within the inner recess is a groined roof, low steps running parallel to the recess, a gold-framed picture or tablet on the wall, and a small, dark doorway, possibly with a curtain in front of it... The picture is similar in style and subject to the architectural studies painted by Sargent in southern Spain late in 1879, especially in the subtle treatment of light; the honey-coloured tones of the pillars, arch and pavement stand out against the cool greens of the recess." (John Singer Sargent: Figures and Landscapes, 1874-1882: The Complete Paintings, vol. IV, New Haven, 2006, pp. 242.)

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