Exterior of a House
- Artist: Emily Sargent
- Date: c.1885–1929
- Medium: Watercolour, gouache and graphite on paper
- Dimensions: support: 356 × 508 mm
- Museum: Tate Britain
- Collection record: Tate Britain website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is “Exterior of a House” by Emily Sargent, dated around 1885. Sargent worked in watercolour, gouache and graphite on paper—a technique that lets her capture light with quick, confident strokes while layering softer washes for depth.
The scene shows the front of a modest dwelling, rendered from street level with a subtle sense of perspective. The lines are clear and crisp, suggesting an almost architectural plan, but she fills the space with lively colour to give the house its texture and atmosphere.
Emily Sargent was the younger sister of John Singer Sargent. Though she had a spinal injury in childhood, she painted prolifically in her thirties while traveling with her family across Europe. Her works were kept private until recently, so this piece gives us an early glimpse into that vibrant but quiet world of travel and observation.
See it in person
Exterior of a House is in the collection of Tate Britain on Millbank, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
