Lamplight, Portrait of Alice Comyns Carr (1850-1927), 1890
John Singer Sargent (American, 1856-1925)
Oil on canvas
Gift of Mrs. Chauncey McCormick and Mrs. Richard E. Danielson  1951.13 

How much will it cost?  $3,200 

ADOPT NOW!

Sargent famously painted Alice Comyns Carr by lamplight, but the light has gone a bit dim over the decades. As a result, the glow that the artist originally captured one quiet evening has gone away, and the subtle shifts of light now appear as harsh shadows. Mrs. Carr undoubtedly would not have wanted those dark circles under her eyes!  

The aging varnish is sinking, which is a term used by conservators to describe the effect when the top layer is lost to the one underneath, making a painting look dull and flat. Removing these layers will also help us address two scratches on the surface of the painting. Finally, the canvas will be reinstalled properly in its frame to ensure greater stability and safety.