“Head of a Neapolitan Boy” is an artwork created by John Singer Sargent in 1879. This piece, an oil painting on canvas, is representative of the Realism art movement. The dimensions of the artwork are 46.99 x 34.93 cm, and it falls under the genre of sketch and study. Currently, this artwork resides in a private collection.
The artwork, which exhibits a youthful subject, portrays a boy of Neapolitan descent. The boy’s face is adorned with a gentle expression, his gaze seemingly capturing a moment of serene contemplation. His attire includes a vivid red headscarf, which stands out against the more muted tones of the background and his clothing. The brushstrokes convey a sense of immediacy and spontaneity, characteristic of a study intended to capture the essence of the subject’s visage and spirit. The textured background complements the simplicity and realism embodied in the boy’s depiction.
