Four Figure Studies

1874–1878

Carolus-Duran's atelier and the alla prima method

Sargent studies with the young portraitist Carolus-Duran, whose influence is pivotal for him from 1874 to 1878: instead of the traditional underdrawing, the atelier teaches the alla prima method of working directly on the canvas with a loaded brush, derived from Velázquez. Sargent is the star student in short order, and one of his paintings in this manner prompts the remark “the student has surpassed the teacher”.

1884

“Madame X” at the Salon: a scandal

Sargent himself pursued Virginie Gautreau for the opportunity to paint her and worked on the portrait for well over a year; unveiled at the 1884 Salon it arouses such a negative reaction that it likely prompts his move to London, and repainting the dress strap does not undo the damage: French commissions dry up.

1885

A visit to Monet at Giverny

On a visit to Claude Monet at Giverny in 1885 Sargent paints one of his most Impressionistic portraits, “Claude Monet Painting at the Edge of a Wood”, with Monet's new bride nearby; after that visit he begins to paint outdoors in the plein-air manner and buys four Monet works for his own collection.

1886

Moving to London, to artistic Chelsea

The portrait commissions that follow his Royal Academy showings encourage Sargent to complete his move to London in 1886, where he settles in the artistic community of Chelsea. English critics are not warm at first, faulting his “Frenchified” handling of paint, but with the help of Mrs. White, and with Henry James's push, he soon gains the admiration of English patrons and critics.

1887

“Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose”: a triumph, bought by the Tate

Sargent's first major success at the Royal Academy comes in 1887 with the enthusiastic response to “Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose”, a large piece painted on site of two young girls lighting lanterns in an English garden in Broadway in the Cotswolds; it is immediately purchased by the Tate Gallery.

1887–1888

His first solo exhibition in Boston

In Boston Sargent is honoured with his first solo exhibition, which presents 22 of his paintings; there he becomes friends with the painter Dennis Miller Bunker.