Product Description

This sumptuous book is the third volume of the definitive catalogue raisonnŽ of the work of the American painter John Singer Sargent (1856-1925). Comprising over two hundred portraits and portrait sketches in oil and watercolor painted between 1900 and the artist's death in 1925, this book completes the trilogy of portrait volumes. The catalogued works have been grouped into two chronological sections, each with an introduction that sets the particular group in context. There is also a section of undated portraits and an appendix listing previously unrecorded works. Each work is documented in depth: entries include traditional data about the painting or watercolor; details of the work's provenance, exhibition history, and bibliography; a short biography of the sitter; a discussion of the circumstances in which the work was created; and a critical discussion of its subject matter, style, and significance in Sargent's career. Most of the works are reproduced in color. There is also an illustrated inventory of Sargent's studio props and accessories and a cross-referenced checklist of the portraits in which they appear.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #90757 in Books
• Published on: 2003-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 364 pages

From the Publisher
Published for the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art

About the Author
Richard Ormond, formerly director of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, is an independent art historian. He is the coauthor of books on Sargent, Landseer, Winterhalter, and Lord Leighton, and he is a great-nephew of John Singer Sargent. Elaine Kilmurray is research director of the John Singer Sargent catalogue raisonnŽ project.

Customer Reviews

He Only Gets Better!!
I wasn't sure that volume 3 could live up to the beauty of the first two volumes, but it certainly does, even surpassing them in some ways. Sargent has honed his skills as a portrait painter to such an extent that, in many of these paintings, all that's left is the essence of what he wanted to convey about a sitter. Like any artist, he has his ups and downs, but when he's good it's absolutely breathtaking. These three volumes are all magnificent, among my favorite art books I've ever seen. The vast majority are in color, and the writing about each painting is always interesting, including references from critics, diaries, and even photos of him painting. On page 102 is the wonderful portrait of Mrs. Fiske Warren and her Daughter, Rachel. Next to it are photos of Sargent painting them! Wow!
This is a book, like the first two volumes, that you can return to over and over again. It always has a new detail or personality to interest you. Also, if you like Sargent, get the book "Sargent Abroad" which concentrates more on his outdoor work. I'm not sure any other artist ever had such a natural talent, to be able to paint so many different subjects so well.

Artist and Teacher
If art alone can teach the next generation of artists by the virtue of it's beauty and technical precision, Mr. Sargent's work is a master course all students must enroll. He divides the canvas into two distinct color families of light and dark and assigns them both temperatures he adheres to throughout the painting process. His colors fall within five distinct values which in it's simplicity empowers his brush with emotional impact second to none. Each reproduction whether it is in color or tone speaks to a new generation the great truths once understood by art teachers and taught in schools across America. Now, only a few understand these principles and even less master them to the level of Mr. Sargent, Anders Zorn and Franz Hal.

This book is worth it's weight in gold as a resource to teach and inspire not only for students but professionals alike. Let Mr. Sargent bring you back to a day when art was produced by a master's hand and had the precision of technical achievement alongside artistic beauty. Let each brush stroke teach you about modeling form and creating emotional impact that will inspire you to new heights and astonish the next generation.

The Great Singer Sargent
This is the third in an amazing series of books. The photos of this mans work are just beautiful. All three of these books in this series are consistantly good. I am a huge fan of Singer Sargents work, but even if you don't know much about him you won't be able to help but admire this singular talent. John Singer Sargent was an American treasure and I am so grateful that someone created such a wonderful tribute to his work, I highly recommend all three, they are each special in their own singular way, much like the man himself.