Sargent and Spain (Hardcover)
For the first time, explore John Singer Sargent’s fascination with Spain as seen in stunning landscapes, architectural views, figure studies, and scenes of everyday life
American artist John Singer Sargent (1856–1925) experienced Spain, including the picturesque island of Majorca, as a source of rejuvenation and inspiration. Sargent and Spain features scores of the artist’s dazzling watercolors, oil paintings, and drawings, from landscapes and seascapes to architectural studies, scenes of everyday life, and sympathetic portraits of the Roma and other local people he encountered. Immersing himself in the country’s rich culture, he studied Spanish masters old and new, lavishing particular attention on works by Diego Velázquez in the Prado. He rendered the distinctive architecture of the Alhambra as well as other palaces and churches, and he captured lively scenes of ports and villages. Intrigued by Spanish dance and music, Sargent created dynamic views of flamenco and the famous dancer La Carmencita. A map and an illustrated chronology document the artist’s seven trips to and travels through Spain. This handsome book showcases, for the first time, Sargent’s captivation with Spain and the remarkable works of art now associated with it.
Published in association with the National Gallery of Art, Washington
Exhibition Schedule:
National Gallery of Art, Washington
(October 2, 2022–January 2, 2023)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Legion of Honor
(February 11–May 14, 2023)
American artist John Singer Sargent (1856–1925) experienced Spain, including the picturesque island of Majorca, as a source of rejuvenation and inspiration. Sargent and Spain features scores of the artist’s dazzling watercolors, oil paintings, and drawings, from landscapes and seascapes to architectural studies, scenes of everyday life, and sympathetic portraits of the Roma and other local people he encountered. Immersing himself in the country’s rich culture, he studied Spanish masters old and new, lavishing particular attention on works by Diego Velázquez in the Prado. He rendered the distinctive architecture of the Alhambra as well as other palaces and churches, and he captured lively scenes of ports and villages. Intrigued by Spanish dance and music, Sargent created dynamic views of flamenco and the famous dancer La Carmencita. A map and an illustrated chronology document the artist’s seven trips to and travels through Spain. This handsome book showcases, for the first time, Sargent’s captivation with Spain and the remarkable works of art now associated with it.
Published in association with the National Gallery of Art, Washington
Exhibition Schedule:
National Gallery of Art, Washington
(October 2, 2022–January 2, 2023)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Legion of Honor
(February 11–May 14, 2023)
Sarah Cash is associate curator of American and British paintings at the National Gallery of Art, Washington. Elaine Kilmurray and Richard Ormond are co-directors of the John Singer Sargent catalogue raisonné.
“The show [Sargent and Spain] . . . and its lavish exhibition catalog examine for the first time this captivating aspect of the artist’s vast legacy, his profound engagement with the diverse historical panoply of Spain’s colorful people and their distinctive culture.”—Barrymore Laurence Scherer, Wall Street Journal
“[A] handsome, copiously illustrated catalogue . . . [that] explores, in some depth, such fascinating topics as Sargent’s interest in the work of both Velázquez and the Spanish painter Joaquín Sorolla, whom he got to know fairly well, among other Spanish moderns, in addition to probing the challenges of portraying Spanish dance.”—Karen Wilkin, New Criterion
“[A] handsome, copiously illustrated catalogue . . . [that] explores, in some depth, such fascinating topics as Sargent’s interest in the work of both Velázquez and the Spanish painter Joaquín Sorolla, whom he got to know fairly well, among other Spanish moderns, in addition to probing the challenges of portraying Spanish dance.”—Karen Wilkin, New Criterion