“Fumée d’Ambre Gris,” created by John Singer Sargent in 1880, is an oil painting on canvas measuring 139.1 x 90.6 cm. This genre painting belongs to the Realism art movement and is currently housed at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts, USA.
The artwork portrays a figure draped in white, who appears to be in a quiet, contemplative state. The figure is shrouded in a voluminous, soft-textured cloak, which they hold up partially, revealing only a glimpse of their face. The pale, muted tones of the robe seamlessly blend with the light background, dominated by neutral hues of white and beige. The only contrasting elements are the intricate silver incense burner placed on the ornately tiled floor and the patterned edge of a nearby rug, both capturing the viewer’s attention with their exquisite detail. The composition and ethereal atmosphere evoke a sense of mystique and serenity, characteristic of Sargent’s masterful depiction of light and texture.
