Mademoiselle Jourdain
John Singer Sargent·1889
Historical Context
John Singer Sargent's portrait of Mademoiselle Jourdain (1889) belongs to his extensive portrait practice of the late 1880s, when he was establishing himself in London after the difficulties following 'Madame X.' The French name suggests either a French sitter or an anglophone sitter with French ancestry — a common situation in the cosmopolitan art world Sargent inhabited. By 1889 his portrait reputation was growing rapidly in London, and his ability to capture individual character through his brilliant alla prima technique was attracting a distinguished clientele.
Technical Analysis
Sargent's portrait handling is fully confident by 1889 — the alla prima technique delivering a vivid likeness through economical, decisive brushwork. His ability to capture the essential character of a sitter in relatively few, extremely well-placed strokes was the quality that most distinguished his portraiture from more labored competitors. The face receives the most concentrated attention, while the dress and background are handled with greater looseness.
