John Singer Sargent (American, 1856-1925) - The Misses Vickers, 1884 (Oil on canvas. Museums Sheffield) – „I am to paint several portraits in the country and three ugly women at Sheffield, dingy hole.” - This group portrait was painted to mark the 21st birthday of Mabel Frances Vickers (centre), shown with her sisters Florence (left) and Clara (right). The contrasting expressions and poses of the three sisters give the painting a tense atmosphere. This is amplified by Sargent’s use of perspective, which projects the figures forward out of the dimly lit room. This portrait was painted at the Vickers’ family home, Bolsover Hill in Sheffield…