John Singer Sargent

Born in Florence, Italy on January 12, 1856 to a New England doctor and his wife, John Singer Sargent became a leading portrait and figure painter of subjects in international society during the Gilded Age. He was educated in Italy, Germany and France receiving his formal education at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. He was encouraged to travel to Spain and Holland to view the work on Velasquez and Franz Hals, both of whom also employed fluid techniques. In 1876, Sargent came to the United States to claim citizenship. His career as a portraitist began in the 1880's in Paris where an early commission caused a scandal. In the portrait of "Madame X", Sargent captures the sitters distinctive aura, painting her with stunning realism and allowing a diamond shoulder strap to fall of one of her shoulders. Sargent regarded this painting as a masterpiece and was so discouraged with the reaction to his work he moved to London permanently. In addition to his portraits of prominent London figures, Sargent received commissions from American society as well. In 1910 he gave up portraiture to pursue lanscape painting, primarily in watercolor, a medium in which he excelled and favored for its spontaneous effects. Ten years prior he began work on murals including one for the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Boston Library. John Singer Sargent died in London on April 15, 1925. One of America's most celebrated painters, his work is in the major collections throughout the world including, The Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the National Gallery in Washington D.C., and the Royal Academy in London, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

John Singer Sargent Images:
A Dinner Table At Night
A Gust of Wind (Mrs. Violet Ormond, Artist’s Sister)
In a Garden
Lady & Child Asleep in a Punt
Lady Agnew of Lochnaw
Madame X (Madame Pierre Gautreau)
Monet Painting
Mrs. Ralph Curtis
Paul Helleu and Wife
Paul Helleu Sketching His Wife Alice
Rehersal Of The Pasdeloup Orchestra
The Boating Party
The Luxembourg Garden at Twilight
Two Girls Fishing