John Singer Sargent

Happy Birthday John Singer Sargent! Born in Florence in 1850, John Singer Sargent was the son of a wealthy family originally from Philadelphia. He is primarily known as a portrait painter but also painted murals and watercolors. His work tends to be a bit detached from his subjects, revealing little about their innermost thoughts or emotions. His lines are flowing and handling of the paint superb. Following a visit to Spain and the study of Velasquez’ work advanced Sargent’s style. This growth is apparent in Daughters of Edward Boit. Note the spacious asymmetrical composition as well as the repetition of form in the large vertical vase mimicked by the young girl’s pinafore.