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Sargent and Spain

Past Exhibition

October 2, 2022 – January 2, 2023
West Building, Main Floor

Celebrated as the leading society portraitist of his era, John Singer Sargent influenced a generation of American painters. His personal captivation with Spain resulted in a remarkable body of work that documents his extensive travels from the north to the south and to the island of Majorca. Over three decades Sargent responded to the country’s rich culture by producing landscapes and marine scenes, pictures of everyday life, and architectural studies, as well as sympathetic portrayals of the locals he encountered.

For the first time, Sargent and Spain presents approximately 120 dazzling oils, watercolors, and drawings, many of which are rarely exhibited. Also featured from the artist’s travels are some 28 never-before published photographs, several almost certainly taken by Sargent himself.

Explore Selected Works

Sargent and Spain

Courtyard, Casa del Chapiz, 1912–1913, oil on canvas, Myron Kunin Collection of American Art. Photo: Minneapolis Institute of Art
Sargent and Spain

Pomegranates, Majorca, 1908, oil on canvas, Anonymous lender
Sargent and Spain

Tarragona, c. 1908, watercolor over graphite, with gouache on paper mounted on board, New Britain Museum of American Art, Grace Judd Landers Fund, 1944.02
Sargent and Spain

Wild Olive Tree Roots, Valldemosa, Majorca, 1908, oil on canvas, National Gallery of Art, Washington, Avalon Fund and Gift of Virginia Bailey Brown, 1991.177.1
Sargent and Spain

“Prince Baltasar Carlos on Horseback,” after Velázquez, 1879, oil on canvas, Hon. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Stanley
Sargent and Spain

White Ships, 1908, watercolor over graphite, with gouache and wax resist, Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by Special Subscription, 09.846
Sargent and Spain

Spanish Soldiers, c. 1903, watercolor over graphite, with gouache, Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by Special Subscription, 09.840
Sargent and Spain

Eliza Wedgwood, c. 1908–1909, watercolor over graphite, The Hevrdejs Collection
Sargent and Spain

Majorcan Fisherman, 1908, oil on canvas, Private collection
Sargent and Spain

A Marble Fountain at Aranjuez, 1912?, oil on canvas, Sharon P. and John D. Rockefeller IV
Sargent and Spain

Under the Olives, 1908, oil on canvas, Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, Mount Vernon, Illinois, Gift of John R. and Eleanor R. Mitchell, 1973.1.54. Photograph by Daniel Overturf
Sargent and Spain

John Singer Sargent, Spanish Roma Dwelling, 1912, oil on canvas, Addison Gallery of American Art, Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, Gift of anonymous donor, 1931.13. Bridgeman Images

Explore & Share

Story

Entering the Lively World of John Singer Sargent’s Brushwork

Brush up on Sargent with Richard Ormond, great-nephew of the artist and cocurator of the exhibition Sargent in Spain.

Video

Paint Like a Great: John Singer Sargent

Watch as Washington, D.C. artist David Rashid Ibata takes on the challenge of copying Sargent’s portrait Ellen Peabody Endicott.

Past In-Person Events

Sunday, October 2, 12:00 p.m.

Introduction to the Exhibition

Join the curatorial team of Sargent and Spain for a discussion on the genesis and significance of the exhibition.

October 15 – December 15

Slide Overview

Senior lecturer David Gariff

Don't miss an introduction to this exhibiton, introducing key works and explores the artist’s captivation with Spain.

November 13 – December 18

In-Person Lectures

Senior lecturer David Gariff

Join us for a series of in-person talks exploring the life, work, and historical context of John Singer Sargent.

Sunday, December 17 & 18, 12:00 p.m.

Vault to Screen

Carmen Amaya and Flamenco

Experience two archival films that celebrate the revolutionary and influential career of Spanish Romani flamenco dancer and singer Carmen Amaya. Registration is required.

Past Virtual Events

October 26 – December 7

Virtual Lectures

Senior lecturer David Gariff

Join us for a series of virtual talks exploring the life, work, and historical context of American artist John Singer Sargent. Registration is required.

Thursday, December 8, 1:00 p.m.

Conversations with Artists

Simon Edmondson and Eva Salmerón

Artists Simon Edmondson and Eva Salmerón will present their creative practice, commonalities with Sargent, and the shared inspiration of Spanish culture. Registration is required.

Sargent and Spain

Explore John Singer Sargent’s fascination with Spain as seen in stunning landscapes, architectural views, figure studies, and scenes of everyday life.

Now available

Related Exhibition

In the Library: October 3 – December 30

Photography and Travel in Sargent’s Spain

Weekdays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
East Building, Ground Level - Library

Learn more

Organization
The exhibition is organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington, in collaboration with the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.

The exhibition is curated by Sarah Cash, associate curator of American and British paintings at the National Gallery of Art, with Richard Ormond and Elaine Kilmurray, leading authorities on the artist and authors of the John Singer Sargent catalogue raisonné.

Other venues
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Legion of Honor, February 11–May 14, 2023

Sponsors
Bank of America is the national tour sponsor for Sargent and Spain.

This exhibition is also made possible by leadership support of the Buffy and William Cafritz Family Fund.

Additional major support is provided through the generosity of the Virginia Cretella Mars Endowment Fund for the International Exchange of Art, the Henry Luce Foundation, and the Director’s Circle of the National Gallery of Art.

The exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.

Passes
Admission is always free and passes are not required

Banner detail: John Singer Sargent, Spanish Roma Dwelling, 1912, oil on canvas, Addison Gallery of American Art, Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, Gift of anonymous donor, 1931.13. Bridgeman Images