The artwork titled “Charles Octavius Parsons,” created by John Singer Sargent between approximately 1885 and 1886, is rendered in oil on canvas. This piece belongs to the Realism art movement and measures 53.66 by 43.18 centimeters. It is a portrait genre and is currently held in a private collection.
In the artwork, the subject, presumably Charles Octavius Parsons, is depicted from the shoulders up. The lighting technique employed by Sargent accentuates the subject’s facial features, highlighting a youthful yet contemplative expression. His eyes convey a sense of depth and emotion, with softly applied brushwork suggesting texture in the hair and garments. The background is kept dark and unobtrusive, enhancing the subject’s presence and drawing the viewer’s focus to his visage. The overall composition demonstrates Sargent’s mastery in capturing the essence of his subject through nuanced realism.