Sargent Book

John Singer Sargent's reputation has been in need of reclamation ever since fellow painter Walter Sickert described his paintings as "wriggle and chiffon", implying that they lacked substance. The publication of this marvellous book--it accompanies 1998's major retrospective exhibition at the Tate Gallery in London--does just that as it magnificently illustrates that Sargent was so much more than a rather shallow portraitist of rich people. The book, of course, includes his portraits, but it also takes us through his early landscapes, exhibits at the Paris Salons in the 1880s, as well as late period murals, water colours and landscapes. Richard Ormond--Sargent's great-nephew--provides a comprehensive biographical essay and an assessment of his development as an artist with Elaine Kilmurray providing most of the commentary on the individual paintings. The Sargent that emerges is not only technically brilliant, but also thoughtful and astute. Behind the wealth, one sees the insecurities and family tensions of his portrait subjects. His landscapes are lush and sensual and his vast murals for the Boston Library and Museum--he worked on them for 35 years from 1890 until his death in 1925--a triumph of scope and ingenuity. This book is a fine tribute to a wonderful artist. --Nick WroeRead More