Singer Sargent Exhibition, Tate Britain

Published: 27/03/2024

This is a very beautiful exhibition, lovely on the eye, sumptuous to behold. Sargent’s portraits capture Parisian and London high society, but not just the titled aristocracy but those who had made money from finance as well. He crafted the image of his sitters, choosing their outfits as a way of conveying their personalities. He also arranged the garments to manipulate the effect.

We see some of these costumes as we go round, including the dress worn by Ellen Terry when she played Lady Macbeth; it is adorned with green beetle wings that catch the light both in actuality and in the portrait. Some of the dresses on display are from The House of Worth which dominated the fashion scene at the same time Sargent was most successful.

You will see famous portraits such as Lady Agnew or Virginie Gautreau with her controversial jewelled strap. A favourite of mine is the full-length portrait of Dr Pozzi in his red coat with his delicate slipper peeping out. This came as a reminder to re-read the Julian Barnes novel ‘The Man in The Red Coat’ which gives a wonderful picture of high society at the time.

Called the Van Dyck of his time by Rodin, Sargent’s use of paint is masterly. It’s a joy to walk round. The Exhibition closes on July 7th.

Debbi Clifton

Illustration Details:  Lady Agnew of Lochnaw (1893). John Singer Sargent. Oil on canvas, 127 × 101 cm (50.0 × 39.8 in). Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh.  Source:  Wikipedia.