Tuesday, April 22, 2014

S = Sargent, John Singer - A to Z Challenge


ART: Artists, Art Trivia, Art Legends

A glimpse of the ART world, in the manner of an alphabetical mini-art tour. ART focuses on artists and art movements between the 1850's-1960's. There are exceptions.



An American artist arrives in Paris. . .
 

Self-Portrait, John Singer Sargent, 1907, PD-WC
 

S = Sargent, John Singer
1856 - 1925


John Singer Sargent, an American artist, was considered the 'leading portrait painter of his generation' for his evocative painting of Edwardian era luxury. Many of his patrons were wealthy. John was trained in Paris before moving to London. He enjoyed international fame as a portrait painter, but  it was one of his portrait paintings that fostered a scandal. . .

An early submission to the Paris Salon, Portrait of Madam X, was intended to consolidate his position as a society painter, but it resulted in scandal instead. The low-cut neckline and the pose of the figure seemed to inspire discussion and disapproval. . .(Victorian and Edwardian sensibilities are easily offended.)


John Singer Sargent, in his studio with the Portrait of Madame X, c.1884, PD-WC


Sargent studied in Paris with Carolus-Duran, the young French portrait artist, who was noted for his bold technique and modern teaching methods. He would be a pivotal influence  to Sargent during his learning years, 1874 to 1878. In 1879, he painted a portrait of Carolus-Duran which received public approval and admittance to the Paris Salon. Sargent was 23 years old.

During his career, he created roughly 900 oil paintings and more than 2,000 watercolors, as well as countless sketches and charcoal drawings. Sargent also left hundreds of 'rapid charcoal portrait sketches' of his patrons that he called 'Mugs'. Many have been exhibited as a collection. In 1909, he exhibited 86 watercolors in NY City, 83 of which were purchased by the Brooklyn Museum.

He traveled worldwide from Venice, Italy to Montana and Florida. Later in his life, Sargent devoted most of his time to working on mural paintings and working en plein air. Most of his life was lived in Europe. Sargent returned from the United States to England in 1924 after a major retrospective, and died there in April of 1925.

Sargent was a life-long bachelor, who surrounded himself with family, friends, and other artists. He was generally private about his personal affairs, so little is known but supposition.

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Do you know the work of the American artist, John Singer Sargent? Any favorites? Did you know some of his work is considered Impressionistic?

Please let me know you were here by leaving a comment, and thanks for dropping by! I'll respond.

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Brought to you by the A to Z Blog Challenge 2014 Team and the originator: Lee of Tossing it Out. Click the A to Z list of participants and read on. Hope to see you again throughout the blogfest.





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References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Singer_Sargent Wiki - John Singer Sargent


IMAGES

John Singer Sargent, in his studio with the X, Portrait of Madame c.1884,

This is a faithful photographic reproduction of a two-dimensional, public domain work of art. The work of art itself is in the public domain for the following reason

You must also include a United States public domain tag to indicate why this work is in the public domain in the United States. Note that Mexico has a term of 100 years and does not implement the rule of the shorter term, so this image may not be in the public domain in Mexico. Côte d'Ivoire has a general copyright term of 99 years, but it does implement the rule of the shorter term.

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Image: Self Portrait of Sargent,1907

This work is in the public domain in those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 80 years or less.

You must also include a United States public domain tag to indicate why this work is in the public domain in the United States. Note that Mexico has a term of 100 years and does not implement the rule of the shorter term, so this image may not be in the public domain in Mexico. Côte d'Ivoire has a general copyright term of 99 years, but it does implement the rule of the shorter term.

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