The artwork, titled “Mrs. William Crowninshield Endicott,” is an oil on canvas portrait created by John Singer Sargent circa 1901. It is a piece belonging to the Realism art movement and measures 163.2 by 114.6 centimeters.
In the artwork, a distinguished elderly woman is portrayed seated gracefully in an ornate armchair. Her refined attire, a black dress adorned with intricate lace detailing around the collar and sleeves, complements her composed demeanor. A luxurious red drapery forms the backdrop, enhancing the elegance and depth of the composition. Her poised posture and serene expression reflect the artist’s meticulous attention to detail and adeptness in capturing the subject’s personality and social status. The subtle interplay of light and shadow across the woman’s face and attire demonstrates Sargent’s mastery in rendering textures and minute details, cementing this portrait as a profound example of his skill in Realism. To her side rests a wooden table with a few books, subtly indicating her intellectual sustenance.