Gardiner Greene Hammond, Jr. 1895

John Singer Sargent painted this portrait of Gardiner Greene Hammond, Jr. with oil on canvas. Sargent was a master of his materials, using the smooth, slow-drying qualities of oil paint to create a likeness that seems to breathe. Notice how the light catches the sitter's face, and the loose brushwork that defines his clothing. It’s easy to overlook the labor involved. Sargent built up layers of pigment, blending and adjusting until he achieved the desired effect. This wasn't just technical skill; it was physical work, requiring patience, focus, and a deep understanding of his medium. While oil painting on canvas has long been a hallmark of fine art, it's worth remembering that these materials were also commodities, bought and sold in a burgeoning art market. Sargent himself was a product of this system, his talent nurtured and rewarded by wealthy patrons like Hammond. So, when we look at this portrait, we're not just seeing a likeness. We're seeing the culmination of labor, materials, and social forces that shaped both artist and sitter.