Bellosguardo, Florence 1870 - 1872

Here we see a drawing of "Bellosguardo, Florence" by John Singer Sargent. The composition, rendered entirely in pencil, presents a landscape dominated by horizontal bands of terraced hills. The contrast is achieved through the varied density and direction of pencil strokes, creating a play of light and shadow that models the form of the land. Notice how Sargent uses the texture of the pencil to define space. The hatching and cross-hatching not only suggest the three-dimensionality of the landscape but also imply a certain depth and distance. The marks may seem spontaneous, but they are strategically placed to guide the viewer's eye across the scene. The drawing's power resides in its ability to distill a complex landscape into a series of simple, yet evocative marks. This emphasis on line and form over detail prompts us to consider how perception itself is constructed, challenging the notion of a fixed or objective reality.