John Singer Sargent

by Carter Ratcliff and John Singer Sargent

An examination of John Singer Sargent's enduring popularity and the beautiful results of his life-long devotion to art. Over 300 illustrations, 113 in full-color. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0896600149
• ISBN13: 9780896600140
• Release Date: January 1986
• Publisher: Artabras Publishers
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 4.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 11.3" x 13.3"

Customer Reviews

not good clear photos

if you are a painter and looking for insight into Sargents free brushstrokes and luminous colors skip this--it's just not good enough on the print reproduction to give you more than a fuzzy sense of the real stuff

If you have only one book on your coffee table...

H. H. Munro once said that to die before having one's portrait painted by Sargent was to have died prematurely. He was on target. Of course most of us cannot expect to afford the luxury of having our portrait painted by anyone of note, but if that lucky opportunity came along, alas!, now it is the artist himself who is no longer with us. This is a wonderful book. It gives the art admirer a good look at much of J S Sargent's oeuvre and the illustrations are faithful, of the highest quality. The book also allows one to trace Mr. Sargent's life and career, with enough detail to make the development of his art make sense. An American by linage, a Parisian by training and an Anglophile by choice, Mr. Sargent was at home in the best of houses and traveled to places that are still high on everyone's wish list. So whether he is giving us a look at the beau monde of two continents or the canals of Venice we are blessed with his record, which is truer than photography. Once you have fallen in love with these works of art--and who cannot?--you will want to seek out those that are in public hands for a closer inspection. Do. There are two Sargents in the White House, for instance, Teddy Roosevelt in the East Room and The Mosquito Net in the Green Room. One of the many reasons to see our President's House. But you will find Sargents in out of the way places, too. There is a fine portrait in the Richmond (VA) Museum of Art, Mrs. Vickers holding a magnolia blossom as she arranges a centerpiece before a dinner party. She, who is somewhat plain, holds that breathtaking flower and we almost hear Sargent saying, "The woman is this lovely, as well, if you take time to know her." It is well worth a trip there to see it. And if you can, spend a goodly amount of time gazing at Madame X. It really is sensational in all meanings of the word. If you have only one book on your coffee table, this is the book to have.

John Singer Sargent

I am extremely pleased with this purchase although I haven't reached 'the end' yet. The colour plates are clear which is so important. I already possess Sargent Abroad which I would also readily recommend.

Each Painting Speaks Volumes

John Singer Sargent's work is amazing. Each painting is a master class in tone, edges, color and drawing. This book is my favorite in comparison to the other published collections of his work. This collection not only has color reproductions but also contains several tonal prints (black and white) which clearly demonstrate his technique of using five major tonal values in his painting and having color fall within those tones. You probably won't learn this in art school bur Mr. Sargent used a 10%, 30%, 50%, 70% and a 90% tone in all his work. In fact, if you were to print a strip of those five tones and lay them over the tonal reproductions of his paintings, you will learn so much in regards to lighting and modeling a human form for the highest degree of emotional impact. In a time when angry political statements pass as art and highlight awful drawing skills and horrible color theory, a true student of art can look upon Mr. Sargent's work and find a pool of fresh water in a dry desert. To know each color choice is based on the actual color and temperature of the light source and has a specific tonal value is something that was once taught in our schools of higher education. This truth has been lost in many circles but Mr. Sargent keeps it alive with every brush stroke. This book is worth every penny and is a must for an artist's library. Even the text is well done. Compare Sargent to Velazquez and you'll learn even more about dividing color temperatures and tonal values within the context of light and shadow. Art can be beautiful and Mr. Sargent continues to inspire and teach us along the way toward creating works that lift the soul and please the eye.

An absolutely fine piece of visual reference

Most likely the best book about Sargent published to date. The colours are brilliant. The text well constructed. The visual detail is quite thorough. If one's to purchase only one book about Sargent this is the one.

great rational art writing

It's nice to find a book on the subject of painting wherein the writing is almost as good as the painting described. Carter Ratcliff has a fluid, no-nonsense style that helps the reader to understand J.S. Sargent and his milieu.