John Singer Sargent
Florence, Italy, 1856 – 1925, London, England
John Singer Sargent defined American portraiture in the early 20th century and remains a popular painter in American art history. Born in 1856 in Florence, Italy to an American family, he received formal art training in both Italy and Germany. Sargent was influenced greatly from his opportunities to travel throughout Europe, being exposed to different cultures and the old masters. In 1874, Sargent launched his career soon after he began training under the Parisian, Carolus-Duran. Three years later, Sargent established his reputation as an artist when he had his first exhibition at the Paris Salon and the next year in New York.
During the 1870s, Sargent painted genre scenes and vivid watercolors but while traveling to England in the 1880s, Sargent became well known for his portraits of wealthy families. His friendship with Claude Monet probably contributed to an obvious stylistic transition as his portraits began to resemble French Impressionism. Sargent’s first visit to the United States was in 1887 and where he would return to become one of the greatest portrait artists of the early 20th century. Thereafter, he spent a productive two decades of painting society portraiture in England and America. Prior to his death in 1925, Sargent’s popularity led to a commission to paint a major mural cycle for the Boston Public Library and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
John Singer Sargent defined American portraiture in the early 20th century and remains a popular painter in American art history. Born in 1856 in Florence, Italy to an American family, he received formal art training in both Italy and Germany. Sargent was influenced greatly from his opportunities to travel throughout Europe, being exposed to different cultures and the old masters. In 1874, Sargent launched his career soon after he began training under the Parisian, Carolus-Duran. Three years later, Sargent established his reputation as an artist when he had his first exhibition at the Paris Salon and the next year in New York.
During the 1870s, Sargent painted genre scenes and vivid watercolors but while traveling to England in the 1880s, Sargent became well known for his portraits of wealthy families. His friendship with Claude Monet probably contributed to an obvious stylistic transition as his portraits began to resemble French Impressionism. Sargent’s first visit to the United States was in 1887 and where he would return to become one of the greatest portrait artists of the early 20th century. Thereafter, he spent a productive two decades of painting society portraiture in England and America. Prior to his death in 1925, Sargent’s popularity led to a commission to paint a major mural cycle for the Boston Public Library and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
(Italian, 1856 – 1925)
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