John Singer Sargent: Seducers in Red, Chesterfield Coat, Baron with Whip

Today I’m writing mostly about the men whose portraits John Singer Sargent painted and are displayed in Fashioned by Sargent, the elegant new exhibition at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts. On Thursday, I wrote about the ladies. Today is the gents’ turn.

Sargent’s sitters are sumptuously, often glitteringly dressed. He became famous starting around 1880 for his portraits, painted in a slasher brushstroke style, his subjects sparkling with sprezzatura and, often, dressed to the nines. Around 1907, though, he more or less retired from portraiture, sick of his demanding, difficult clients and, barely 50, a rich man.

About the Author

Brian T. Allen

Brian T. Allen is National Review’s art critic.

Today I’m writing mostly about the men whose portraits John Singer Sargent painted and are displayed in Fashioned by Sargent, the elegant new exhibition at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts. On Thursday, I wrote about the ladies. Today is the gents’ turn.

Sargent’s sitters are sumptuously, often glitteringly dressed. He became famous starting around 1880 for his portraits, painted in a slasher brushstroke style, his subjects sparkling with sprezzatura and, often, dressed to the nines. Around 1907, though, he more or less retired from portraiture, sick of his demanding, difficult clients and, barely 50, a rich man.