Favorite Artists 13 - John Sargent

There have been so very many artists in the history of humanity that selecting only a few as "favorites" is challenging. It's a form of personal criticism that reveals a great deal about ourselves too. As you can see my preferences in painting are representational artists who were excellent draftsmen, with the arguable exception of van Gogh. John Sargent (1856-1925) is another whose work often takes me by the shoulders and gives me a solid shake.

John Singer Sargent,"Self Portrait," 1908

John Singer Sargent is almost always referred to by all three names. Some artists only use one--Madonna, Vincent--but Mr. Sargent merits three. Perhaps it is his status as an expatriate American. Mr. Sargent was born well-off American parents in Florence, Italy and almost never came to America. He is claimed by us of course, but he was actually a citizen of the world who lived in Paris, London, and elsewhere, spoke four languages fluently, and was internationally famous and successful during his lifetime.

Mr. Sargent wanted to study art in Florence but eventually trained in Paris at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts under the tutelage of a number of masters. Even as a young man Mr. Sargent was noted for his enormous technical facility and  passed on his first attempt the rigorous exam required to gain admission to the École des Beaux-Arts. His talent was remarked by many and he stood out even in the ferment of 1870s Paris. He knew or was acquainted with Monet, Renoir, Carolus-Duran, and his fellow American ex-pat James Whistler. By the time he was 21 is work was admitted to the annual Salon. To the casual observer Mr. Sargent seems to have succeeded without much effort, which is undoubtedly wrong. Although he was clearly seen as gifted from childhood, there is long hard effort lurking beneath his bravura facade.

"Portrait of Carolus-Duran," 1879

Carolus-Duran (1837-1917) was an enormous influence. Mr. Sargent was a student at the Carolus-Duran atelier, where he absorbed a technique that became his signature, attacking the painting with a fully-loaded brush. There is a magnificent half-length portrait of Carolus-Duran, executed by Sargent while still studying with him. The portrait caused some to say he had already surpassed his master at age 23, and it is easy to see why. The painting is beautifully posed and with the exception of clothing could have been done by Diego Velazquez. The colors are beautifully muted, the brushwork masterful, and the likeness utterly spot-on. This young master sprang onto the scene fully-fledged.

"Pailleron Children," 1880

Mr. Sargent was an immediate success in Paris and became the leading portraitist in Paris and perhaps even the world. During those years he painted many exceptional works, including his first double portrait, "The Pailleron Children," 1880. The painting is a particular favorite of mine because it resides in the Des Moines Art Center where I can visit it any time. The painting is of the two children of Mr. Sargent's friends Edouard and Marie Pailleron. According to the little girl, who wrote about it later in life, she endured more than 80 sittings for the work. Certainly it's a haunting piece and seems to demonstrate her impatience with the process very well. Her unblinking, sharply-focused gaze pierces him (us) as he works to capture it. Her brother, half-turned our way seems contemptuous and bored. A digital posting like this one can't show the wondrous brushwork of the gown and stocking, nor of the boy's delicate hands. Mr. Sargent was still very young but his work glows with mastery.

"Monet Painting at the Edge of Woods," oil, 1885

Although we think of John Sargent mostly as a master portraitist, his first interest was landscape and history painting. It was under Carolus-Duran that he turned to the more lucrative and engaging practice of portraiture. Mr. Sargent relished painting outdoors. After his move to London in 1886 he spent much time painting the English countryside, and indeed had done so during his years in France as well (above).  In addition to his work in oil, he painted a great deal in watercolor, showing equal bravura and expertise. For me, unlike his society portraiture, these watercolors vibrate with exuberant life. He painted at least 2000 and once said he did them for his own sanity and didn't sell them (although he did give many away).

"The Bridge of Sighs, Venice," watercolor, 1903

"Arab Gypsies in a Tent," watercolor, 1905

"Muddy Alligators," watercolor, 1917

For me, it is these magnificent watercolors that show the essence of this great artist. His vision, brushwork, color sense and values are impeccable. These too were famous during the artist's lifetime.


In the end, John Sargent intensely disliked painting society portraits, calling them "paugh-traits" and wishing never to do another. He "officially" closed his portrait practice in 1907 yet continued doing quick charcoal portraits of English and American patrons, no doubt for a very pretty penny. At the end of life his major work was a series of murals in Boston. The murals are beautifully done, but for me seem stuffy and formal, almost self-conscious.

In 1918 he was commissioned by the British Ministry of Information as a war artist. He produced a large number of works, mostly watercolors, but there is also the enormous (at about 8 feet by 20 feet) oil painting, "Gassed" (below) based on Mr. Sargent's first-hand observing one of the horrors of the new warfare: mustard gas attacks. The line of soldiers at an aid station near the front have severely injured eyes from the gas--hence the blindfolds. He had recently abandoned his Boston murals and returned to England, so I suppose it isn't surprising that he was working mural-sized again. The figures are nearly life size. Although not well-known, it remains a gut-wrenching reminder of the brutality of humans to one another.

"Gassed," oil, 1919

During his long career, John Singer Sargent was a sublime portraitist and a discerning and brilliant watercolorist. In my opinion, it is the watercolors that show the essence of his greatness.
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In This Series:
Favorite Artists
Favorite Artists 2--Chardin
Favorite Artists 3--Grant Wood
Favorite Artists 4--Diego Velazquez
Favorite Artists 5--Andrew Wyeth
Favorite Artists 6--Wayne Thiebaud 
Favorite Artists 7 - Edward Hopper
Favorite Artists 8- Nicolai Fechin
Favorite Artists 9- Rembrandt 
Favorite Artists 10-Hokusai
Favorite Artists 11-Franz Hals 
Favorite Artists-12-Vincent