John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) was an American artist, considered the "leading portrait painter of his generation." Born in Florence, Italy to American parents, Sargent studied painting in Italy and France before gaining renown for his portraits of the wealthy and aristocratic. His works are characterized by remarkable technical ability, a modern sensibility, and a deft command of light and color.
Sargent's most famous portraits include Madame X, Lady Agnew of Lochnaw, The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit, and his self-portrait. He also created large-scale murals, including a series depicting the history of religion for the Boston Public Library. Sargent was an acclaimed watercolorist and landscape painter as well. Despite controversy early in his career, he became one of the most celebrated and successful portrait artists of his era, elected to the Royal Academy at age 34.
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