In a Hayloft

John Singer Sargent

Brooklyn Museum photograph

Object Label

The two figures nested in a half-lit hayloft are the Italian painters Ambrogio Raffele and Carlo Pollonera, whose camaraderie Sargent enjoyed during summer painting stints in Purtud, in 1904 and 1905. Sargent masterfully established their likenesses with the briefest means: layered passages of wash and selectively touched highlights that describe a confined raking light on their features. The figures are barely discernible within the broad washes of color—a mysterious effect enhanced by the scene’s overall greenish hue.

Caption

John Singer Sargent American, born Italy, 1856–1925. In a Hayloft, 1904. Translucent and opaque watercolor with graphite underdrawing, 16 x 12 in. (40.6 x 30.5 cm) frame: 30 x 23 7/8 x 1 3/8 in. (76.2 x 60.6 x 3.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by Special Subscription, 09.824. No known copyright restrictions (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 09.824_PS6.jpg)

Gallery

Not on view

Collection

American Art

Title

In a Hayloft

Date

1904

Medium

Translucent and opaque watercolor with graphite underdrawing

Classification

Watercolor

Dimensions

16 x 12 in. (40.6 x 30.5 cm) frame: 30 x 23 7/8 x 1 3/8 in. (76.2 x 60.6 x 3.5 cm)

Signatures

Unsigned

Markings

Partial watermark: "[W]HATMAN 1897"

Credit Line

Purchased by Special Subscription

Accession Number

09.824

Rights

No known copyright restrictions

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