The artwork titled “Edmond Gosse” is a portrait painted by the renowned artist John Singer Sargent in 1886. Executed in oil on canvas, this painting adheres to the Realism art movement. The artwork measures 61 by 50.8 centimeters and can be viewed at the Brotherton Library within the University of Leeds, located in Leeds, UK. It is a genre portrait, capturing the likeness and personality of the subject.
In the artwork, the subject, presumably Edmond Gosse, is depicted in a semi-profile view, engaging the viewer with a direct and intense gaze. The subject’s face is illuminated, highlighting his features with a soft glow against the predominantly dark background. This contrast creates a dramatic effect that draws attention to the subject’s expression and finely rendered facial attributes, including a tidy mustache and light-colored eyes. The sitter’s attire is formal, with a dark jacket and a crisply knotted tie, indicating a sense of professionalism and elegance consistent with the period’s attire. The brushwork is fluid and expressive, particularly notable in the treatment of light on the subject’s face, which adds depth and realism to the representation. The overall execution of the portrait shows Sargent’s mastery of capturing character and mood through subtle nuances of color, light, and texture.
