The artwork, titled “Olivia Richardson,” was created by the artist John Singer Sargent around the year 1883. Executed in oil on panel, this portrait is an exemplar of the Realism art movement. The dimensions of the artwork are 41.3 by 32.24 centimeters, and it currently resides in a private collection.
The portrait depicts a young woman, Olivia Richardson, set against a dark, subdued background which draws immediate attention to her delicately illuminated face. Her expression is serene yet introspective, exuding a sense of quiet contemplation. Richardson’s attire is formal and of dark hue, with a notable detail of a small floral arrangement on her chest. The subtlety of Sargent’s brushwork and his masterful use of light and shadow are evident, bringing out the textures and tones of the subject’s skin and attire with meticulous realism. The overall mood of the artwork is contemplative and pensive, characteristic of Sargent’s adept ability to capture the personal essence and dignity of his subjects.