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Venetian Interior - c. 1880-2
This is an evocative example of Sargents mastery of light and the boldness of his brush work. A single slash of pigment brings a ray of intense sunlight into this darkened room, although we can clearly feel the bright exterior sun just beyond the window. Look at how he gently bounces sunlight across the shining floor. Single brush strokes deftly define a mirror and the edge of a door. What are the ladies doing here? Who are they? It is suggested that they are bead stringers. Sargent , ever the puzzler, leaves us wondering.
This piece was accompanied by an a capella choir singing some glorious aria or Italian love song, I don't know which, but it was the perfect blend of image and song which left me overwhelmed with bliss. You had to be there...
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