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This charcoal sketch of Agnes Bourn, by artist John Singer Sargent, was completed in 1915, after his retirement from formal portraiture. Although he no longer painted oil portraits, Sargent made over 400 of these charcoal “mugs” for clients, along with landscape paintings– for which he was far more passionate.Label
A charcoal sketch commissioned by the Bourns during a trip in London, as part of their extensive travels and grand tours. Famous portrait artist John Singer Sargent had retired from formal portraiture but still took on clients for charcoal sketches. This portrait of Agnes Bourn, dated 1915, would have only taken one afternoon sitting, rather than the weeks or months that formal portraiture would have required. The pair of sketches was hung in the Reception Room at Filoli, where they are today.
