Who creates your image?
In portraits by John Singer Sargent (1856–1925), sitters assume elegant stances, the fabric of their dress richly depicted in broad, sensuous strokes of paint. Sargent brought his subjects to life, but he did much more than simply record what appeared before him. He often chose what his sitters wore and, even if they arrived in his studio dressed in the latest fashions, he frequently simplified and altered the details. Exploiting dress was an integral part of his artistry.
Organized with Tate Britain, “Fashioned by Sargent” explores the artist’s complex relationship with his often-affluent clients and their clothes. The exhibition reveals Sargent’s power over his sitters’ images by considering the liberties he took with sartorial choices to express distinctive personalities, social positions, professions, gender identities, and nationalities. Alongside about 50 paintings by Sargent, over a dozen period garments and accessories shed new light on the relationship between fashion and this beloved artist’s creative practice.
“The coat is the picture,” Sargent once told Graham Robertson, clearly articulating the role dress played in his work. The exhibition features Robertson’s portrait as well as style icons like Madame X, Lady Agnew, and Dr. Pozzi at Home. Visitors can also see several paintings together with the garments worn by the sitters, among them Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth with her beetle-wing-encrusted costume, and Mrs. Charles Inches (Louise Pomeroy) with her red velvet evening gown. Step into the making of a Sargent portrait and consider ideas of curating—and controlling—one’s image.
“Unapologetically gorgeous”
–Boston Globe
“You can take Sargent out of fashion, but you cannot take the fashion out of Sargent.”
–Vogue
See It with a Ticket
Everyone needs a timed-entry ticket to see the exhibition, including members—reserve yours to guarantee entry. Weekends are popular, so join us on Thursdays or Fridays, when we’re open until 10 pm, or Mondays and Wednesdays, when we’re open until 5 pm. And don’t forget, exhibition tickets include general admission to the Museum!
Looking for More Sargent in Boston?
Through January 14, “Fashioned by Sargent” ticket holders who reserve tickets online can redeem $2 off admission to the nearby Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, which is hosting the companion exhibition “Inventing Isabella.” This offer is available online only and can be redeemed for up to four tickets through a promo code received in your “Fashioned by Sargent” order confirmation e-mail.
- Ann and Graham Gund Gallery (Gallery LG31)
John Singer Sargent, Lady Agnew of Lochnaw, 1892
Oil on canvas. National Galleries of Scotland, purchased with the aid of the Cowan Smith Bequest Fund, 1925.
John Singer Sargent, Madame X (Madame Pierre Gautreau), 1883–1884
Oil on canvas. Lent by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Arthur Hoppock Hearn Fund, 1916 (16.53). Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
John Singer Sargent, Mrs. Fiske Warren (Gretchen Osgood) and Her Daughter Rachel, 1903
Oil on canvas. Gift of Mrs. Rachel Warren Barton and Emily L. Ainsley Fund.
John Templeman Coolidge, John Singer Sargent painting Mrs. Fiske Warren (Gretchen Osgood) and her daughter Rachel in the Gothic Room, 1903
Platinum print. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston.
John Singer Sargent, Mrs. Charles E. Inches (Louise Pomeroy), 1887
Oil on canvas. Anonymous gift in memory of Mrs. Charles Inches’ daughter, Louise Brimmer.
Unidentified maker, evening dress, American, about 1887–1902
Silk velvet with silk plain weave lining. Anonymous gift in honor of Louise B. Seton.
John Singer Sargent, Lady Helen Vincent, Vicountess d’Abernon, 1904
Oil on canvas. Collection of the Birmingham Museum of Art. Museum purchase with funds provided by John Bohorfoush, the 1984 Museum Dinner and Ball, and the Museum Store. 1984.121.
John Singer Sargent, Lord Ribblesdale, 1902
Oil on canvas. The National Gallery, London, presented by Lord Ribblesdale in memory of Lady Ribblesdale and his sons, Captain the Hon. Thomas Lister and Lieutenant the Hon. Charles Lister. 1916.
John Singer Sargent, La Carmencita, about 1890
Oil on canvas. Musée d’Orsay, Paris. Purchased from the artist for the State, for the Luxembourg, 1892. Photograph © RMN-Grand Palais / Art Resource, New York.
Unidentified maker, costume for Carmen Dauset Moreno (Carmencita), about 1890
Silk satin and net, trimmed with silver gilt thread, spangles, and beads. Private Collection. Photograph © Houghton Hall/Pete Huggins.
John Singer Sargent, Dr. Pozzi at Home, 1881
Oil on canvas. The Armand Hammer Collection, Gift of the Armand Hammer Foundation. Hammer Museum, Los Angeles.
John Singer Sargent, Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth, 1889
Oil on canvas. Tate Britain, presented by Sir Joseph Duveen (the elder), 1906. Photo: Tate.
“Beetle Wing Dress” for Lady Macbeth, designed by Alice Laura Comyns Carr and Ada Cort Nettleship, 1888
Cotton, silk, lace, beetle-wing cases, glass, and metal. National Trust Collections, Smallhythe Place (The Ellen Terry Collection). © National Trust Images/David Brunetti.
John Singer Sargent, John D. Rockefeller, 1917
Oil on canvas. Kykuit, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Pocantico Hills, New York. Bequest of John D. Rockefeller 3rd, Nelson A. Rockefeller, Laurance S. Rockefeller, David Rockefeller. Photo by Ben Asen.
John Singer Sargent, Madame Ramón Subercaseaux, 1880–81
Oil on canvas. Sarofim Foundation. Photograph © the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
John Singer Sargent, Elsie Palmer, 1889–90
Oil on canvas. Collection of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College. Museum Purchase Fund Acquired through Public Subscription and Debutante Ball Purchase Fund. FA 1969.3.1.
Sponsors
Additional generous support from Tom and Bonnie Rosse. Supported by Lynn Dale and Frank Wisneski, the Barbara M. Eagle Exhibition Fund, the MFA Associates / MFA Senior Associates Exhibition Endowment Fund, the Dr. Lawrence H. and Roberta Cohn Fund for Exhibitions, and the Alexander M. Levine and Dr. Rosemarie D. Bria-Levine Exhibition Fund.