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Spanish Soldiers

John Singer Sargent

American Art

Here Sargent’s underdrawing only loosely blocks out forms, such as the center figure’s feet. The reclining figure at the right may initially have been sketched either sitting up or positioned more to the right, where graphite marks suggest the figure’s hat. This is one of three watercolors sent to Knoedler Gallery in 1909 that belonged to friends and family and were to be returned to Sargent. Ironically, Knoedler accidentally returned a different Spanish Soldiers to Sargent and included this one (signed and inscribed to his friend at upper right) in the sale to Brooklyn.
MEDIUM Translucent watercolor and touches of opaque watercolor with graphite underdrawing
DATES ca. 1903
DIMENSIONS 12 x 18 1/16 in. (30.5 x 45.8 cm) frame: 23 13/16 x 29 13/16 x 1 1/2 in. (60.5 x 75.7 x 3.8 cm)  (show scale)
SIGNATURE Signed upper right: "To my friend Rathbone / John S. Sargent"
COLLECTIONS American Art
ACCESSION NUMBER 09.839
CREDIT LINE Purchased by Special Subscription
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION John Singer Sargent (American, born Italy, 1856–1925). Spanish Soldiers, ca. 1903. Translucent watercolor and touches of opaque watercolor with graphite underdrawing, 12 x 18 1/16 in. (30.5 x 45.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by Special Subscription, 09.839 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 09.839_PS2.jpg)
IMAGE overall, 09.839_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2011
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RIGHTS STATEMENT No known copyright restrictions
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John Singer Sargent (American, born Italy, 1856–1925). <em>Spanish Soldiers</em>, ca. 1903. Translucent watercolor and touches of opaque watercolor with graphite underdrawing, 12 x 18 1/16 in. (30.5 x 45.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by Special Subscription, 09.839 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 09.839_PS2.jpg)