Head of Anacapri Girl 1878

John Singer Sargent created this oil painting, Head of Anacapri Girl, sometime during his career. As you can see, it depicts a young woman in profile, with her gaze directed to some point outside the frame. Sargent was an American expatriate artist, part of a cultural phenomenon of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Artists and writers often sought inspiration and refuge in Europe. Italy, with its rich history and picturesque landscapes, was a particularly popular destination. Anacapri, on the island of Capri, offered a glimpse into a simpler, more traditional way of life, a stark contrast to the rapidly industrializing cities of the West. It is worth noting that the image creates a visual dialogue between the artist and his sitter, but also between the viewer and the subject. Through careful research into Sargent's life, travels, and artistic circles, as well as the social history of places like Anacapri, we can better understand the complex layers of meaning embedded in this seemingly simple portrait.