The artwork, titled “The Sulphur Match,” was created by John Singer Sargent in 1882. Executed in oil on canvas, it measures 58.42 by 41.27 cm and belongs to the Realism art movement. This genre painting depicts an everyday scene with notable attention to detail and realistic representation.
“The Sulphur Match” illustrates a poignant moment involving two figures. The central figure, a woman dressed in a flowing white dress and a red shawl, is seated, her fatigue accentuated by her relaxed posture and the slump of her raised leg. Adjacent to her, a man, cloaked in dark attire, is intently engaged in lighting his pipe with a sulphur match. The contrasting lighting emphasizes the differing textures of their clothing and the simplicity of their surroundings, invoking a mood of quiet introspection. The subtle interplay of light and shadow, a hallmark of Sargent’s technique, further enhances the realism and intimate atmosphere of the scene.
