This work (and others) again employs costumes purchased by Sargent in the Middle East and carted in trunks to the Alps. All three male figures were modeled by Nicola d'Inverno, Sargent's manservant, a fact that reveals the contrivances underpinning these seemingly casual scenes. (http://poulwebb.blogspot.nl/2014/04/john-singer-sargent-part-17.html)