Mrs J.W. Crombie

Artist John Singer Sargent (Florence, Italy, 1856 - 1925)

SitterSitter is Marina Crombie (London, England, 1872 - 1951)

AssociatedAssociated with John William Crombie (Aberdeenshire, Scotland, 1858 - 1908)

Date1898

Mediumoil on canvas

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 100.5 cm, Width: 74.4 cm
Frame: Height: 123.5 cm, Width: 97.2 cm

AcquisitionPresented in 1946 by Mrs J W Crombie.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG003878

Keywords

About MeThe sitter, Minna (Marina) Wason was the wife of John William Crombie M.P. Her husband was a first cousin of Theodore Crombie. Minna Crombie, who came from Ayrshire, was a noted philanthropist. After her only son was killed in the First World War, she took up Braille and translated many books for the blind.

Sargent has caught the serious gaze of the young woman and at the same time has emphasised her femininity. His later portraits, such as this one, display his apparently effortless virtuosity. The dashing brushstrokes, particularly evident in the sparkling rings and brooches and in her feather boa, seem entirely spontaneous.
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Sargent here displays his apparently effortless virtuosity in this portrait of a noted philanthropist.