The Bromfield Museum of American Art

John Singer Sargent

techfedkerala

John Singer Sargent (1856-1925)

born in Florence, Italy to American parents studied art in Italy, France and Germany received his formal art education at
the Ecole des Beaux Arts
the Paris studio of noted French portraitist Carolus- Duran

spent most of his life in England

although he is well-known as an American painter, he traveled only occasionally to the U.S.

techfedkerala

Sargents work included landscapes, many in the French impressionist style, (as in the painting within a painting to the right) but he is most well known for his portraits.

techfedkerala

Sargent was one of the most sought-after portrait

painters during Americas Gilded Age.
He painted stylish society portraits

and he created intimate portraits for friends.

techfedkerala

After a while, Sargent got tired of portrait painting; he became exasperated by the whim and vanities of prominent sitters. He kept raising his prices; but instead of putting off customers, his portraits were in even higher demand!!

techfedkerala

Not everyone was happy with his work, though

For example, Eleanora Iselin, a banker's wife, was very upset that Sargent made her pose in the street clothes she wore rather than in one of the beautiful gowns she had brought with her for the sitting.

techfedkerala

Other critics felt that Sargents work was scandalous and inappropriate.
One example was his portrait of Madame X.
techfedkerala

Sargent painted during the time period known as

The Gilded Age (1870-1900)

The Gilded Age in America was marked by growth, prosperity and conspicuous consumption.

techfedkerala

Gild to cover with, or as if with,

a thin layer of gold Often gives a deceptively attractive or improved appearance
shiny on the surface cheap/dirty underneath

techfedkerala

The Contrasts of the Gilded Age

How the other half lived The Vanderbilt Mansion

techfedkerala

Sargents portraits reflected one aspect of the Gilded Age.

Peter A.B. Widener
Wealthy, respected businessman patron of the arts

techfedkerala

Another aspect of the Gilded Age

Other painters chose to depict scenes of city life which represented the experience of the average person, rather than that of the privileged few.
techfedkerala

Clearly, no one artist, and certainly no one work of art can capture the essence of an entire period.

Artists and art, are however, a reflection of the attitudes of a given time period, and as such are just one of the many valuable tools available to the student of history.

techfedkerala