Two Women in a Café

John Singer Sargent American

Not on view

Though friends described Sargent as shy and retiring, he was also very social and went out nearly every night. This informal sketch probably shows his childhood friend Flora Priestley (1859–1944) with an unidentified woman. The table and loosely drawn cups, represented by a few quick lines, suggest that the setting is a café. The relaxed and confident poses of the two elegantly attired figures seated on a banquette may imply that they are "new women" who are not concerned with breeching decorum by smoking in public.

Two Women in a Café, John Singer Sargent (American, Florence 1856–1925 London), Charcoal on off-white wove paper, American

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Two Women in a Café, John Singer Sargent (American, Florence 1856–1925 London), Charcoal on off-white wove paper, American
Two Women in a Café, John Singer Sargent (American, Florence 1856–1925 London), Charcoal on off-white wove paper, American
Two Women in a Café, John Singer Sargent (American, Florence 1856–1925 London), Charcoal on off-white wove paper, American

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