Breton Woman with a Basket, Sketch for ‘Oyster Gatherers of Cancale’ 1877

This 1877 sketch by John Singer Sargent titled "Breton Woman with a Basket, Sketch for ‘Oyster Gatherers of Cancale’" depicts a woman in traditional Breton dress carrying a basket, likely filled with oysters, on a sandy beach. Sargent, known for his masterful portraits, often used quick sketches to capture the essence of his subjects, as seen in the loose brushstrokes and simplified forms of this work. The sketch likely served as a study for Sargent’s larger painting, "Oyster Gatherers of Cancale," showcasing the artist's meticulous attention to detail and his ability to translate his observations into compelling compositions.