The artwork, titled “A Backwater, Calcot Mill near Reading,” was created by John Singer Sargent in 1888. Executed in oil on canvas and classified within the Impressionism art movement, this landscape piece is housed in the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
The painting depicts a tranquil scene by the waterside near Calcot Mill. Sargent’s use of rich, vibrant colors and loose brushstrokes captures the lush foliage and still, reflective water. Light gently filters through the dense greenery, creating an interplay of shadow and illumination, which is characteristic of the Impressionist style. The composition draws the viewer’s eye naturally across the serene landscape, evoking a sense of calm and contemplation. The masterful representation of natural elements demonstrates Sargent’s ability to convey both the physical beauty and the ephemeral atmosphere of the scene.