Miss N. Huxley 1888

John Singer Sargent drew Miss N. Huxley using graphite on paper. Though seemingly simple, this portrait reveals much about Sargent’s approach to art-making. Graphite, essentially a form of carbon, allows for a range of tonal values through variations in pressure and layering. Here, Sargent uses delicate, almost fleeting lines to capture the essence of his subject. This technique, influenced by Impressionism, moves away from highly rendered, academic portraiture. The visible strokes and erasures also remind us of the artist’s hand and the process of creation. The choice of graphite, a relatively inexpensive material, democratizes the art-making process, making it more accessible than traditional oil painting. In the context of the late 19th century, this shift reflects a broader societal interest in immediacy, and capturing a sense of modern life through more accessible means of production.