Gypsy Encampment c. 1912 - 1913

John Singer Sargent seems to have quickly captured this “Gypsy Encampment” with oil on canvas. Look at the way the paint is applied; it's so physical! Thick dabs and strokes of earth tones and whites build up the forms, especially in that white building – almost like he’s sculpting with the paint. It's not about smooth blending, but about raw, immediate gestures. You can practically feel the energy of his hand as he worked. Then there's that small child, huddled in the lower left corner. That little patch of striped fabric is so tenderly observed. It’s moments like this, where the brushwork slows and the details emerge, that give the painting its depth. The piece reminds me a bit of Courbet, with its focus on everyday life and the materiality of paint. But Sargent brings a certain lightness and fluidity all of his own. It's like he's inviting us to witness a fleeting moment, captured with honesty and grace.