Capilla Real Entablature, Granada

The detailed study Capilla Real Entablature, Granada was executed by John Singer Sargent in 1912. This remarkable drawing, rendered in precise graphite on wove paper, showcases Sargent's enduring meticulousness as a draftsman, a talent sometimes overshadowed by his highly successful career as a commissioned portrait painter. Created during the period 1901 to 1925, this piece reflects a later shift in the artist’s methodology toward intimate, observational studies made during his extensive travels through Europe and the Middle East, capturing architectural detail rather than human subjects.

The drawing focuses intently on the heavy molding and elaborate decorative detail of an entablature located within the historic Royal Chapel (Capilla Real) in Granada, Spain. Sargent expertly uses the graphite medium to define form, capturing the intricate interplay of light and shadow across the carved stone. The technique employed here creates high contrast, emphasizing the depth of the moldings and the rich ornamentation typical of Spanish Renaissance design integrated into the historic structure. This rigorous, academic approach distinguishes the piece from the looser, more fluid studies found in his finished watercolors.

Although celebrated for his cosmopolitan upbringing and international subject matter, Sargent remains a key figure in American art history during the first quarter of the twentieth century. This specific drawing exemplifies the observational focus characteristic of his late career, coinciding with the broader artistic shifts occurring between 1901 and 1925. The work is preserved as a primary source document reflecting the artist's private study and is part of the distinguished collection at the National Gallery of Art. Thanks to the museum's preservation efforts, high-quality images and prints of Sargent's later drawings are often made available in the public domain, offering broad access to his technical legacy.