Rehearsal of the Pasdeloup Orchestra at the Cirque d'Hiver

c. 1879

Sargent often attended free concert rehearsals conducted by Jules-Étienne Pasdeloup, popular events in late 19th-century Paris. This composition shows his perceptive use of Impressionist techniques to depict modern, urban subjects. Sargent employed thin, abbreviated brushstrokes to capture the rich atmosphere and graphic qualities of the amphitheater’s architecture, the musicians, their sheet music and instruments, and the circus performers.

Public domain · CC0
Free to download and reuse. Image courtesy of Art Institute of Chicago.

Artist

John Singer Sargent (American, 1856–1925)

Date

c. 1879

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

93 × 73 cm (36 5/8 × 28 3/4 in.)

Origin

Paris

Collection

Art Institute of Chicago

Credit

Anonymous loan