Jascha Heifetz, 1918 (pencil on paper board)

This evocative pencil sketch of violin virtuoso Jascha Heifetz (1901-1987) was a gift from John Singer Sargent to Isabella Stewart Gardner. During Heifetz’s tour of the United States in 1918, Gardner and Sargent attended one of his performances; the experience was so vivid that Sargent made this sketch from memory and presented it to Gardner as a memento. Framing Heifetz’s expressive brow and dynamic hands within the confines of a densely shaded circle, Sargent evokes the intensity of the violinist’s focus as well as the listener’s captivation with the performer in the spotlight. Inscribed, signed and dated in pencil (lower right): To Mrs. Gardner / Souvenier of Heifetz and J.S.S. March 17 1918