A Corner of the Library in Venice

1904/1907

John Singer Sargent

Associated Names
John Singer Sargent

Artist, American, 1856 - 1925

This is a painting depicting a portion of a grand, classical-style white building with ornate columns and decorative elements such as carved reliefs and intricate railings. The painting focuses on the upper section of the building, which features an elaborately adorned window or balcony in front of a large brown door. The portion of the building takes up the left side of the painting, while the right side shows a sky painted in soft blue, with sections of the blank off-white paper suggesting clouds.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    watercolor over graphite, with white gouache on thick wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 58.2 × 46.2 cm (22 15/16 × 18 3/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1970.17.172

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Ormand/Kilmurray 1143

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

the aritst's sale, Christie's London, 24 July 1925, 11; (M. Knoedler & Co., New York); acquired 1954 by Ailsa Mellon Bruce [1901-1969]; bequest to National Gallery of Art

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1984

  • Venice: The American View, 1860-1920, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, 1984.

1986

  • John Singer Sargent, Whitney Museum, New York, 1986.

1997

  • Venice: From a State to a Myth, Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Venice, 1997, no. 102.

2006

  • The Poetry of Light: Venetian Drawings from the National Gallery of Art, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2006, repro., back cover of catalogue.

2014

  • The Poetry of Light - La poesia della luce: Venetian Drawings from the National Gallery of Art, Museo Correr, Venice, Venice, 2014 - 2015, no. 141.

Bibliography

1984

  • Lovell, Margaretta M., VENICE: THE AMERICAN VIEW 1860-1920, Fine Arts Museums of SF, 1984: 109-110, no.62.

1997

  • Venice: From a State to a Myth. Exh. cat. San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice, 1997: 272, 386-387, no. 102.

  • Adelson, Warren, et. al. Sargent Abroad: Figures and Landscapes. New York, London, Paris, 1997: 199, no. 201.

1998

  • Little, Carl. The Watercolors of John Singer Sargent. Berkeley, 1998: repro. 47.

  • Ormond, Richard, and Elaine Kilmurray. John Singer Sargent: Venetian Figures and Landscapes, 1893-1913. The Complete Paintings, Volume VI. New Haven and London, 2009: 199, 248, no. 1143, repro.

Wikidata ID

Q64583991

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