The artwork titled “Gondolier,” created by John Singer Sargent in 1905, demonstrates the Realism art movement through the medium of oil on canvas. The painting, which measures 71.12 x 55.88 cm, belongs to the genre of portraiture.
In the artwork, a male figure is depicted wearing a dark, broad-brimmed hat and a traditional gondolier’s attire. His expression is calm and introspective with subtle highlights and shadows that bring his facial features to life. The brushwork is fluid and dynamic, characterized by precise strokes that suggest a mastery of technique, especially evident in the rendering of the clothing and the delicate hues of the face. The background is kept relatively simple, allowing the focus to rest entirely on the subject’s dignified presence and the tactile quality of his attire. Through this portrait, Sargent captures the essence of the gondolier’s character with realism and subtlety.
