The artwork, titled “Flora Priestley (also known as Lamplight Study)”, is an oil on canvas portrait by the renowned artist John Singer Sargent, completed circa 1889. This realist masterpiece measures 45.7 x 30.5 cm and currently resides in a private collection.
The portrait depicts a young woman with a serene expression, her eyes gently closed and her face partially illuminated, indicative of a study in lamplight as suggested by the alternative title. The background is of a rich, dark hue that contrasts beautifully with the lighter tones of her skin, emphasizing the delicate, almost ethereal quality of the subject’s visage. The woman’s pose and the softness of the light evoke a sense of tranquility and introspection. This painting exemplifies Sargent’s extraordinary skill in capturing both the physical presence and the inner life of his subjects, typical of the Realism movement.
