I will suggest to study the etchings by Anders Zorn, the famous Swedish painter and Sargent's contemporary and equal.
Zorn traveled much and spend time in America where he painted several portraits. In Venice, he painted Isabella Steward Gardner (Boston Museum).
Zorn lived and loved his Swedish country life and found many of his best motifs there. I believe that Morgan Weistling would agree on that.
Take a look at:
www.zorn.se
Allan