John Singer Sargent: The Later Portraits [Hardcover]

Richard Ormond (Author), Elaine Kilmurray (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art | Publication Date: October 1, 2003

This is the third volume of the catalogue raisonne of the work of the American painter John Singer Sargent (1856-1925). Comprising over 200 portraits and portrait sketches in oil and watercolour, painted between 1900 and the artist's death in 1925, this work completes the trilogy of portrait volumes. The catalogued works have been grouped into two chronological sections, each with its own introduction to set 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 watercolour; 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. With very few exceptions, all the works are reproduced in colour. 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.

Editorial Reviews

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 co-author of books on Sargent, Landseer, Winterhalter and Lord Leighton. He is a great-nephew of John Singer Sargent. Elaine Kilmurray is research director of the John Singer Sargent catalogue raisonne project.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 364 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (October 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300098065
• ISBN-13: 978-0300098068
• Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 10 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #774,108 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He Only Gets Better!!, March 19, 2004

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Thomas (Grand Rapids, MI, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: John Singer Sargent: The Later Portraits (Hardcover)

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.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sargent Review, July 15, 2009

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Another User - See all my reviews

This review is from: John Singer Sargent: The Later Portraits (Hardcover)

Length:: 0:21 Mins

I've recently bought the first two volumes and won't be buying the 3rd. Like one reviewer Heather before me said, most of the pictures are only a quarter to half the size of the page with text next to them. There are some full page color plates, just not enough in comparison to the smaller ones. The binding of the book is not bad at all, it seems sturdy. Again, my only complaint is not enough full page color plates.

Here's a webcam video I've created on the first volume in which the layouts of the color plates are the same for all 3 volumes.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Artist and Teacher, August 16, 2005

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J. Sapulich - See all my reviews
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This review is from: John Singer Sargent: The Later Portraits (Hardcover)

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.