John Singer Sargent

John Singer Sargent, born January 12, 1856 in Florence, Italy, was an American painter who is considered one of the leading portrait artists of his time. His parents were American expatriates, and Sargent spent most of his childhood in Europe, which gave him a cosmopolitan perspective and a broad artistic education. He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and was heavily influenced by the Old Masters as well as the emerging Impressionist movement.

Sargent's career began in the 1870s, and he quickly gained recognition for his technical skill and ability to capture the personalities of his subjects. His breakthrough came in 1884 with the portrait "Madame X," but it caused a scandal due to its daring depiction of Madame Gautreau, a prominent Parisian society lady. Despite the controversy, this work cemented Sargent's reputation as an outstanding portraitist.

Over the course of his career, Sargent painted over 900 oil paintings and more than 2,000 watercolors, as well as countless sketches and charcoal drawings. His works are characterized by their vibrant color palette, masterful technique, and ability to capture the essence of his subjects. Sargent was known for his ability to depict both the external appearance and the inner world of his models, which earned him a wide clientele among the international elite.

Interesting fact:

Sargent was not only a gifted painter, but also a talented musician. He played the piano and organ and was known to often play music during his breaks from painting to relax and find inspiration.

Important works of art & pictures by John Singer Sargent:

1. "Madame X" (1884)
2. "Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose" (1885-1886)
3. "El Jaleo" (1882)
4. "The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit" (1882)
5. "Portrait of Robert Louis Stevenson and his Wife" (1885)
6. "Lady Agnew of Lochnaw" (1892)
7. "Gassed" (1919)
8. "Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth" (1889)
9. "The Wyndham Sisters" (1899)
10. "Portrait of Madame X" (1884)