The artwork titled “Carmela Bertagna,” created by the renowned artist John Singer Sargent circa 1879, is an oil on canvas exemplifying the Realism art movement. With dimensions of 59.69 x 49.53 cm, this portrait is part of the collection at the Columbus Museum of Fine Arts in Ohio. The genre of this work is a portrait, which communicates the artist’s skill in capturing the essence of the subject through his use of medium and style.
The artwork presents a young girl oriented slightly to the side while her gaze meets the viewer directly, creating an engaging and intimate encounter. The brushwork is loose and impressionistic, yet it reveals a keen attention to the play of light and shadow that falls across the girl’s features and attire. Her wavy hair is adorned with a red ribbon that provides a dash of vibrant color, complementing the warmth that emanates from her visage.
Sargent’s use of contrasting textures is evident in the depiction of the soft, feathery material of the girl’s dress against the smoother skin of her face and neck. The background consists of muted tones with delicate strokes that subtly suggest an undefined space, allowing the figure to command full attention. The artist’s signature is prominently displayed in the top right corner, instilling his mark upon the work.
Overall, “Carmela Bertagna” exemplifies Sargent’s mastery as a portraitist, with a composition that converges realism and the artist’s personal expression, inviting observers to contemplate the subject’s personality and the narrative beyond the canvas.
