Violet Fishing 1889

John Singer Sargent created "Violet Fishing" using oil paints to capture a moment of leisure. Sargent worked alla prima, or wet-on-wet, applying the paint directly to the canvas with loose brushstrokes. The material qualities of oil paint greatly influenced the work's appearance. Notice the varying thickness and texture of the pigment; in some areas, the paint is applied thinly, creating translucent washes of color, while in others, it is built up in impasto, adding physicality. The fluidity of the oil paint allowed him to blend and manipulate the colors seamlessly, capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. Sargent engaged with traditions of plein air painting and Impressionism. But he was also a portraitist to the wealthy; “Violet Fishing” shows his ability to apply the same techniques to subjects beyond the drawing room. We see not labor here, but instead the relaxed attitude afforded by privilege. By emphasizing the materials and processes behind “Violet Fishing,” we can appreciate how Sargent’s approach blurred the boundaries between traditional genres.