Camp at Lake O'Hara
Watercolor painting on paper, mounted and framed • John Singer Sargent (1856–1925)
Style & Movement
American Impressionism / Realism
Medium & Technique
Watercolor and gouache on paper; employs a broad wash technique with opaque highlights and virtuosic brushwork characteristic of John Singer Sargent's late watercolor style.
Creation Period
circa 1916
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 15 x 21 inches (sight); Landscape format
Subject Description
A depiction of a canvas tent setup in the Canadian Rockies. The composition features a low-angle view of the white tent structure supported by wooden poles, nestled against a background of dark, vertical evergreens. The narrative reflects Sargent's 1916 expedition to British Columbia, focusing on the interplay of light and shadow on the fabric surfaces.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good; visible light mat burn along the edges and some expected toning of the paper consistent with age.
Estimated Market Value
$150,000 - $250,000
Auction Estimate
$120,000 - $180,000
Provenance History
Likely acquired through a major American gallery or estate sale; Sargent's watercolors from the Canadian Rockies series were famously held by the Brooklyn Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, though private examples exist from his personal gifts and family estate.
Art Historical Significance
A significant example of Sargent's transition from portraiture to landscape exploration late in his career. His 1916 trip to Lake O'Hara is a well-documented period where he experimented with the 'portable' nature of watercolor to capture the ruggedness of the North American wilderness.
Notable Features
The masterful use of 'negative space' where the white of the paper serves as sunlight on the tent; the distinct, confident strokes of the tree line which are a hallmark of Sargent's plein air technique.
Condition Issues
Minor acid burn from a non-archival mat (visible in the upper right framing area); minor foxing possible under close inspection; slight fading of blue pigments in the sky due to UV exposure.
Conservation Recommendations
Re-mount using acid-free archival materials; replace standard glass with Museum-grade UV-protective glass; maintain in a climate-controlled environment with low light levels.