John Singer Sargent: Portraits in Charcoal

This book highlights the charcoal portraits of John Singer Sargent, showcasing his unique artistic style and the influential figures he portrayed.

In John Singer Sargent: Portraits in Charcoal, the reader is invited to explore a remarkable collection of charcoal portraits that reflect the essence of notable figures from various fields. John Singer Sargent, renowned for his exceptional painting skills, shifted his focus to charcoal drawings after 1907, producing a series of compelling portraits that rival his painted works. This volume captures over sixty of these extraordinary drawings, revealing the same psychological depth and mastery of light and shadow that characterize his more famous canvases.

The book not only showcases Sargent's artistic prowess but also delves into the relationships and networks that supported his work during the Edwardian period in Britain and the Progressive Era in America. Each portrait tells a story, highlighting the lives of influential personalities in politics, society, and the arts. Readers will gain insight into the dynamics of patronage that allowed Sargent to thrive as a portrait draftsman, shedding light on the collaborative nature of his art.

Authored by Richard Ormond, a distinguished scholar of Sargent and his grand-nephew, this volume benefits from his extensive knowledge and personal connection to the artist. Ormond's expertise, combined with over one hundred color illustrations, makes John Singer Sargent: Portraits in Charcoal an essential addition to the literature on one of history's greatest portrait artists.