Tree Trunks [verso]

Tree Trunks [verso] by John Singer Sargent is an early, precise work executed in graphite on wove paper between 1868 and 1869. Classified as a drawing, this piece showcases the American artist’s formative observational skills before his rise to international fame. Unlike his later, opulent oil portraits, this study emphasizes disciplined draftsmanship, employing detailed line work and subtle shading to define complex natural structures. The delicate handling of the graphite captures the varied textures and ridges inherent in the bark of the trees, suggesting a careful study from nature.

The drawing originates from the crucial period spanning 1851 to 1875, during which Sargent spent significant time in Europe mastering fundamental techniques. Although the artist is often associated with the cosmopolitan Gilded Age, works like this demonstrate his dedication to plein air sketching and the academic study of light and form. The tightly focused composition isolates the verticality of the trunks, using value contrast to convey depth and volume in the forest setting. Sargent utilized such preparatory works to solidify his understanding of structure and perspective, skills that would underpin his entire career.

This foundational piece of American art resides within the collection of the National Gallery of Art, providing curators and scholars with vital evidence of Sargent's technical development. As a historical drawing from the NGA, the artwork is frequently referenced in studies of nineteenth-century technique. Given its age and status, high-quality prints and reproductions of sketches like Tree Trunks [verso] are often made available through public domain initiatives, allowing wider public access to the preparatory methods employed by one of America’s most celebrated artistic figures.