Whispers (Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau and a Friend)

ca. 1883–84
Not on view
A prolific and successful painter in oil and watercolor, Sargent seems to have sketched almost incessantly. He made rapid studies, such as this one, in preparation for his paintings or simply as impressions of his surroundings. Sargent captures a candid moment between Virginie Gautreau (1859–1915), at left, and an unidentified companion. He eschews detailed anatomical study in order to record their fleeting poses and gestures.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Whispers (Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau and a Friend)
  • Artist: John Singer Sargent (American, Florence 1856–1925 London)
  • Date: ca. 1883–84
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Charcoal and graphite on off-white laid paper
  • Dimensions: 13 9/16 x 9 11/16 in. (34.4 x 24.6 cm)
    Mat: 19 1/4 × 14 1/4 in. (48.9 × 36.2 cm)
    Framed (standard exhibition frame): 21 1/4 x 16 1/4 x 1 1/8 in. (54 x 41.3 x 2.9 cm)
  • Credit Line: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Mrs. Francis Ormond, 1950 (50.130.117)
  • Object Number: 50.130.117
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

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