American Art · Art That Inspires Me

Art That Inspires Me: Lady Agnew of Locknaw by John Singer Sargent

I love the American artist John Singer Sargent (1856-1925), and I have wanted to write an Art That Inspires Me post about him for a while. However, there are just so many things that inspire me about Sargent, and I struggled to pick a few to focus on. This is my all-time favorite Sargent painting. It depicts Lady (Gertrude) Agnew of Locknaw, the wife of a Scottish nobleman.

American Art · European Art · Historic Places

An Array of Art at Biltmore

Unlike his father, George Vanderbilt wasn't a huge art collector. He collected prints, but beyond that, he generally preferred to spend his money on his home and lands rather than paintings and sculptures. However, he still managed to acquire quite a few notable works of art that are now on display at Biltmore. Here are some of my favorites.

American Art · Books

The Mysterious Daughters of Edward Darley Boit

John Singer Sargent's 1882 painting The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit is compelling and a bit mysterious. While reading Erica Hirshler's book about the painting, I learned that interpretations of the work have changed over time, and Sargent's contemporaries didn't read the same tone into it that we do.

American Art of the Week

American Art of the Week: Edwin Booth by John Singer Sargent

This week's artist, like last week's, is among the most famous artists in American history. John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) made many of his best-known works, including the scandalous Portrait of Madame X, during the many years in which he lived in Europe, but he was an American-born artist who painted many American subjects throughout his career. Today's featured work depicts Edwin Booth (1833-1893) - actor, theatre owner, and older brother of Lincoln's assassin.