John Singer Sargent – further research (January 2025)
Greetings! It was fabulous to see so many people at The Beecroft on Saturday to look at the art of John Singer Sargent (1856-1925). As we were saying, it was essentially an introduction – Sargent created an enormous number of extraordinary and diverse artworks from grand ‘society portraits’ for exhibition to more relaxed paintings of friends and family who travelled in Europe with him. So I thought it might be useful to flag up some of the books on Sargent for further reading:
I’d especially recommend that first book pictured, the Tate’s “John Singer Sargent” by Elizabeth Prettejohn:
This fascinating introduction explores the life and work of Sargent, contextualising his practice within the times he lived. Beginning with his cosmopolitan childhood in Europe and studio training in Paris, it charts his rise to fame and establishment as a leading portraitist internationally, up until his final works during the outbreak of the First World War. Touching on his travels, his friendships and the personal connections that influenced his practice, this a true celebration of an extraordinary artist and his paintings, which continue to captivate today.
A number of recent exhibition catalogues are available at Southend Central Library, including “Sargent and Fashion” which explores the dynamic relationship of painting and dress — from portraits and performance, gender expression and the New Woman, to the pull of tradition and the excitement of new ideas.
Of note, too, is that there is going to be an exhibition of Sargent’s work this year at Kenwood House, Hampstead from 16th May to 5th October:
Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraitswill gather together, for the first time, eighteen magnificent portraits of women once dismissively known as the “Dollar Princesses”. A war-time nurse, a helicopter pilot and the first sitting female MP among them, the exhibition will reveal the often-overshadowed lives of these fascinating American women who crossed the Atlantic to marry British aristocrats in an exchange of money for titles.On the centenary of his death, the exhibition will be a salute to John Singer Sargent (1856-1925), the most admired and sought-after portraitist of the Gilded Age on both sides of the Atlantic. These portraits represent some of his most glamorous and powerful works. In addition to full-length oil paintings, masterful charcoal portraits will also feature, depicting their subjects in a candid and perceptive light.Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraitsis curated by English Heritage with the charity drawing upon the expertise of Richard Ormond CBE, renowned Sargent scholar and the artist’s great-nephew who is exhibition consultant.
and it is worth noting that Devon Cox has a biography of Sargent coming out – apparently, hopefully – towards the end of the year “Beyond Beauty: A Portrait of John Singer Sargent” (although there are few details as yet).
As always, a good place to start for images is artuk.org which represents paintings in public collections across Britain:
also searching on Christie‘s and Sotheby‘s is always rewarding as they often have a detailed Lot Essay about individual works.
Hoping this is useful, and please let me know of anything else you come across on John Singer Sargent that you think I should share and I’ll add it in. Happy researching!
Independent Researcher:
gently exploring the art and artists of early 20th century Britain (with forays elsewhere, in particular Russian Art History);
the Art, Books & History Group meets monthly in Southend-on-Sea
Twitter: @TheCommonViewer
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