John Singer Sargent Volume 3 - Female portraits & paintings of women John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) was an American expatriate artist, considered the leading portrait painter of his generation Sargent's best portraits reveal the individuality and personality of the sitters; his most ardent admirers think he is matched in this only by Velázquez, who was one of Sargent's great influences. His most controversial work, Portrait of Madame X (Madame Pierre Gautreau) is now considered one of his best works, and was the artist's personal favorite; he stated in 1915, “I suppose it is the best thing I have done.“ When unveiled in Paris at the 1884 Salon, it aroused such a negative reaction that it likely prompted Sargent's move to London. Sargent's self-confidence had led him to attempt a risque experiment in portraiture—but this time it unexpectedly back-fired. The painting was not commissioned by her and he pursued her for the opportunity, Sargent
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