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JOHN SINGER SARGENT’S COMEBACK: PORTRAITS OF THE RICH & FAMOUS
How does an artist survive a professional disaster, threatening his very future in the field that he loves? In 1884, John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) was devastated by the critical and public attacks of his painting Madame X at the Paris Salon (see: Monday’s blog). In the aftermath, Sargent even considered abandoning his career for a profession in music or business.
But Sargent persevered, and within a few years was on the path to becoming the top portraitist of his generation, specializing in portraying the members of the European and British upper classes as well as America’s elite. I’ve selected 5 of some 600 known portraits by Sargent, focusing on the works completed after he settled in London in 1886, providing a few fast facts about each sitter.
A BEWITCHING SKETCH
Alice Vanderbilt Shepard (1875-1950)
Daughter of Elliot Finch Shepard and Margaret Vanderbilt
Created in 1888 in New York City during one of Sargent’s visits to the United States.
According to family history, Sargent asked to paint teenager Alice Shepard, while working on a large scale rendition of her mother. At first, the parents were hesitant because of the possible physical strain on their daughter, who had to wear a steel brace because of an accident. For Sargent often required dozens of modeling sessions by each client, in order to finish a commission. However, to avoid causing Alice any discomfort, he immortalized her in this bewitching oil sketch done with feeling and depth.
John Singer Sargent, Alice Vanderbilt Shepard, 1888, oil on canvas, Private Collection
A TOUR DE FORCE IN PAINT
Mrs. Carl Meyer (1861-1930) and Her Children, Elsie Charlotte (1885-1954) and Frank Cecil (1886-1935)
Wife of banker and mining magnate, Carl Ferdinand Meyer; a charismatic figure, influential networker in society and the arts, particularly supportive of theater and opera
Created in 1896 in Meyer’s Louis XV decor drawing room, probably in London.
American writer Henry James praises Sargent’s tour de force in paint, calling it a picture of knock down insolence of talent and truth of characterization, a wonderful rendering of life, of manners, of aspects, of types, of textures, of everything…..
John Singer Sargent, Mrs. Carl Meyer and Her Children, 1896, oil on canvas, Private Collection
A MODERN COUPLE
CIRCA 1897
Mr. and Mrs. Issac Newton Stokes
New Yorkers
Created in 1897 in Sargent’s London studio.
Sargent’s prerequisite was that he choose the costume his subjects wore in their portraits. At first he decided that an evening gown would be most appropriate for Mrs. Stokes, but then realized that her sporty walking clothes more closely reflected her personality. Another change was the inclusion of her spouse in the canvas, replacing a Great Dane (on loan from a Sargent friend). The couple had also wanted to have separate portrayals, hoping to employ James McNeill Whistler for Issac’s portrait. Unfortunately, his fee was too high so the generous Sargent inserted what might be a rather irritated husband in the background.
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John Singer Sargent, Mr. and Mrs. Issac Newton Phelps Stokes, 1897, oil on canvas, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY
OUT OF THE SHADOWS
Mrs. Adah Williams Russell (c. 1868-1959)
Wife of London solicitor Charles Russell, noted for several prominent cases including Oscar Wilde’s libel suit against the Marquess of Queensberry (whom he defended). Her grandfather was founder of British newspaper the Daily News while her father-in-law held the office of Lord Chief Justice of England
Created in 1900, probably in London.
Did Adah Russell live in the shadow of her husband and the other prestigious men of her family? Does Sargent perceive her sadness and longing caused by a sheltered life?
John Singer Sargent, Mrs. Charles Russell, 1900, oil on canvas, Private Collection
THE SECRET ROYAL
Baroness de Meyer
Spouse of Adolphe de Meyer, portrait and fashion photographer
Created c. 1907, possibly London.
I couldn’t resist including this charcoal drawing of a most intriguing lady—Olga, the rumored “natural” child of King Edward VII. Her maiden name was Caracciola and she was raised by Italian nobility.
Would Sargent dare ask about her background?
John Singer Sargent, Baroness de Meyer, c. 1907, charcoal on paper, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, UK
The sources used for this blog are John Singer Sargent, edited by Elaine Kilmurray and Richard Ormond, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 1998 and John Singer Sargent by Trevor Fairbrother, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers in association with The National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian, Washington, D.C.
The above images are used solely for educational purposes.
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