View of Capri c. 1878

John Singer Sargent painted 'View of Capri' as part of his exploration of European life and landscapes. During the late 19th century, Capri was not only a picturesque destination, but also a site charged with social dynamics between locals and the travelers who came to inhabit the space. Here, Sargent captures a woman standing on a rooftop, her traditional dress placing her in a specific cultural context against the backdrop of Capri’s architecture. Instead of portraying her in a subservient pose, Sargent positions her in a moment of self-possessed reflection. There's an interesting dance happening here. The island is known as a retreat, a place to escape. But what about those who already live there? Those whose sense of escape comes not from the island itself, but from dreams of elsewhere? Sargent invites us to consider not just the beauty of a place, but also the lives and dreams of those who inhabit it.