Product Description
This sumptuous book is the third volume of the definitive catalogue raisonnŽ of the work of the American painter John Singer Sargent (1856-1925). Comprising over two hundred portraits and portrait sketches in oil and watercolor painted between 1900 and the artist's death in 1925, this book completes the trilogy of portrait volumes. The catalogued works have been grouped into two chronological sections, each with an introduction that sets the particular group in context. There is also a section of undated portraits and an appendix listing previously unrecorded works. Each work is documented in depth: entries include traditional data about the painting or watercolor; details of the work's provenance, exhibition history, and bibliography; a short biography of the sitter; a discussion of the circumstances in which the work was created; and a critical discussion of its subject matter, style, and significance in Sargent's career. Most of the works are reproduced in color. There is also an illustrated inventory of Sargent's studio props and accessories and a cross-referenced checklist of the portraits in which they appear.
User Reviews
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Summary: Beautiful Volume
Review: This volume came in perfect shape and is truly a treasure of John Singer Sargent's portraits. I am fully satisfied with the book and the speed at which it came.
Date: 2010-04-03
Rating: 5
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Summary: Sargent Review
Review: Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R38WCIGU2T4K2H I've recently bought the first two volumes and won't be buying the 3rd. Like one reviewer Heather before me said, most of the pictures are only a quarter to half the size of the page with text next to them. There are some full page color plates, just not enough in comparison to the smaller ones. The binding of the book is not bad at all, it seems sturdy. Again, my only complaint is not enough full page color plates.
Here's a webcam video I've created on the first volume in which the layouts of the color plates are the same for all 3 volumes.
Date: 2009-07-15
Rating: 3
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Summary: An alternative suggestion..........
Review: As a painter, I love these sargent books and I would like to offer an alternative to the usual art book. Due to the large amount of print that goes into these books, the size of the pictures is often diminished. Why not publish a portfolio of the art work alone and a companion volume of the print portion. I really don't need to know that I'm looking at a model in a blue dress wearing pearls; I can see that. What I want is to study the image in detail which is hard to do when you reduce a painting that was originally, say, 5'x3' into a 1"x2" image on the page. This is already being done by one company that puts out 19th century art on cd. I can now print out any painting on the cd for a total price of $20 plus ink and paper. 21st century solutions for 21st century people!
Date: 2009-01-23
Rating: 5
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Summary: good for an art historian, not so much for a painter
Review: first, i'm a painter myself, and a huge fan of sargent's work. in this book, however, the image quality isn't bad, and the color is close to accurate, but some of the luminoscity in color and contrast are lost. most of the images appear washed out and dull. the portrait on page 577 is a HORRIBLE photo. the art institute of chicago owns this painting, and having been a student there, i've spent hours studying this piece in person. the color os horribly grayed out in the photo, a lot of detail is lost, the painting appears to be a mess of paint rather than precisely carved out shapes (which is what made sargent so excellent). this is a landscape, but it doesn't seem to be painted outside in the photo! this is one of sargents greatest pieces, in my opinion, and the photo of the painting was completely butchered.
most other photos aren't this bad, but you must keep in mind that most of the paintings in this book are printed only half or a quarter of the page. everything just appears so shrunken, you can't observe the detail.
that being said, if you are a huge fan of sargent, an art historian, or for any other reason you want at your hand every single piece he's done, this would be a necessary addition. it's not a complete waste of money, i just don't think it is worth more than $25 or so. though, it IS the only book like this published thus far.
also, upon my first flip-through of the book, once i got to the last page, i realized my last page tore from the cover & the binding is exposed. i ordered this book brand new from amazon, so even though i can easily re-glue the binding together, it makes me feel the quality of this book is actually very low and cheap.
unfortunately, i spent an additional $100 on the other two volumes to this collection, and they have yet to arrive. hopefully they won't be as disappointing as this one.
Date: 2007-03-03
Rating: 2
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Summary: Excellent series
Review: I can't say enough about this entire series of books. It is the most comprehensive Sargent collection in the world, and a must for any Sargent fans. Every single volume is filled to the brim with his work and details about his life and his artwork. It also does not skimp on quality--the whole thing is printed in color (which was a relief, because I can't stand b/w printing of colored material--it's a crime in my opinion).
Date: 2006-12-14
Rating: 5
