John Singer Sargent
In October 1895, Galerie Rapp in Paris organized one section of a large exhibition at the Palais des Beaux-Arts that marked the 100th anniversary of the invention of lithography by Alois Senefelder. The British printer Frederick Goulding, who had developed an improved transfer paper for lithography, was involved in the show; he encouraged Sargent and other London artists to participate, even offering to supply them with materials and print their work. Sargent created six lithographs at this time; he selected the present print for the Paris exhibition, which moved on in November to the Rembrandt Gallery in London. This is the most developed composition and demonstrates the artist's progressive engagement with tone. To form strong highlights falling across the sitter's shoulders and some of the drapery folds in a manner that echoes Sargent's brilliant handling of watercolor.
I love this lithograph's mood!
P.S. As a young man, Sargent spent a lovely Summer on the Italian island of Capri. He met an amazing girl there, Rosina Ferrara. What happened next and why it was a fierce romance you will get to know here. :-D