John Singer Sargent

John Singer Sargent (1856–1925) was an American expatriate painter celebrated for his dazzling portraits, elegant compositions, and mastery of light and brushwork. One of the most sought-after portraitists of his era, Sargent captured the grace, personality, and status of his sitters—ranging from aristocrats to artists—while also producing remarkable landscapes, murals, and watercolors. His style blended academic skill with Impressionist influences, creating works that felt both timeless and modern. Born in Florence, Italy, to American parents, Sargent studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris under Carolus-Duran before establishing his career in London. His 1884 portrait Madame X brought both scandal and fame, cementing his reputation. Although he never married, Sargent maintained a wide circle of friends in the art world and traveled extensively, painting until his death in London in 1925.