By the River 1885

John Singer Sargent painted "By the River" with oil on canvas; its exact date remains unknown. This intimate portrayal offers a glimpse into the leisure of privileged women during the late 19th century. The woman, elegantly dressed, is absorbed in a book, a symbol of the increasing educational opportunities available to women of her class. Yet, her posture and setting also speak to the constraints placed on women who were expected to be decorative and passive. Sargent, an expatriate American artist, often depicted such scenes of upper-class life, navigating the complex dynamics of wealth and social standing. "By the River" is a quiet commentary on the roles and expectations of women in a changing society. Through his sensitive brushwork, Sargent captures both the serenity and the underlying tensions of a life of privilege.