Breakfast in the Loggia 1917 - 1919

Editor: So, we’re looking at John Singer Sargent's "Breakfast in the Loggia," painted between 1917 and 1919, rendered in oil paint, and evoking such a relaxed, sun-drenched atmosphere. I'm curious, from your perspective, what stands out most in this piece? Curator: Immediately, I’m drawn to the materials and the social context surrounding their use. Think about the availability of high-quality oil paints in the early 20th century. Sargent had access to industrially produced pigments, readily available canvases. This access contrasts sharply with artistic production just a century prior, influencing not only his technique, that fast, “alla prima” impressionistic approach, but his entire approach to the subject matter. Consider, for instance, who has access to this leisure and space? Editor: That’s a great point. It feels so immediate, almost like a snapshot. Curator: Precisely! Sargent’s method, made possible by industrial materials, allows for the capture of fleeting moments of bourgeois leisure, a celebration of the lifestyle enabled by certain economic systems. He blurs lines by incorporating a very casual plein-air style with very carefully staged moments that, materially, required a great deal of societal investment to create. Editor: So, the very materials used and the way he uses them tell a story about labor and access. It reframes my understanding of what "impressionistic" paintings mean socially, considering the accessibility of the materials. Curator: Exactly! Look at how he builds the scene with visible brushstrokes; it speaks to speed and efficiency, processes available to artists at this point due to manufacturing advancements, influencing artistic aesthetics. It encourages a look into these works and what class they really signify. Editor: I never considered it that deeply, that the industrial aspect could directly dictate what's on the canvas itself! That's truly insightful. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure! Considering the materiality always opens up exciting avenues for interpretation and contextualization.