The Alps [recto]

The Alps [recto] by John Singer Sargent is an early and technically assured drawing executed in graphite on wove paper between 1868 and 1869. Although Sargent is renowned globally as a master of large-scale oil portraiture, this piece demonstrates his foundational skill in capturing the complexity of natural forms and light through observation. This work is an example of the numerous informal sketches made during the extensive European travels undertaken by the expatriate American family.

Created when Sargent was still in his adolescence, before formal enrollment in art academies, this drawing belongs to the crucial period spanning 1851 to 1875, reflecting the young artist’s dedication to mastering draughtsmanship. The technique is straightforward yet sophisticated; Sargent utilized the precise, crisp lines of graphite on wove paper to define the rugged topography and immense scale of the mountainous subject. The drawing style is observational and direct, focusing on the tonal variations necessary to convey depth and atmospheric perspective across vast distances. These youthful studies provide essential context for understanding the visual training and acute observational skills that would later characterize Sargent’s mature paintings.

This drawing is recognized as an important documentation of the artist’s early creative development. Though focused on a European subject, Sargent’s work contributes significantly to the history of 19th-century American graphic art. The piece is held within the distinguished collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. Due to its historical importance, and to ensure broad access for researchers and enthusiasts, high-resolution digital prints and files of this drawing are frequently available through museum resources, furthering its availability in the public domain.