Sargent and Paris: Magnificent Paintings by John Singer Sargent on Display in New York

Discover the paintings that Sargent created during his decade in Paris by visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

The largest exhibit of his work since 1998 will run from April 27 to August 3, 2025, before moving to the Musée d’Orsay in Paris

John Singer Sargent (January 12, 1856 – April 14, 1925) was only 18 years old when he arrived in Paris, the son of wealthy Americans who were living and traveling throughout Europe. Having already studied at various art schools, he enrolled at the esteemed École des Beaux-Arts. His timing was impeccable, as the very first show of Impressionist art in Paris took place that same year.  

Sargent is celebrated for his wonderful portraits, many of them full-length images of wealthy, glamorous women. Creating flattering paintings of his growing list of clients not only kept Sargent very busy but also increased his social standing. 

Perhaps his most famous work, Portrait of Madame X features Madame Pierre Gautreau in a dramatic pose, turning left to show her beautiful profile and dressed in black to highlight her delicate, pale skin. Presented at the Salon of 1884, his first rendition created quite a scandal as it showed the dress’s shoulder strap falling down her right arm — thought to be so promiscuous that one critic called it “insolent.” He repainted the strap in its normal, over-the-shoulder position, as seen in the image above. The painting received much acclaim and even Sargent said of it, “I suppose it is the best thing I have done.” 

While Sargent was developing classic painting techniques through formal studies, his talent was also flourishing due to meeting many free-thinking, independent artists of the moment. In fact, he became a close friend of Claude Monet, visiting his home in Giverny and even purchasing some of Monet’s works for his own personal collection. Developing his own unique style over time, Sargent painted with a blend of traditional realism mixed with impressionism.  

Consider his masterpiece In the Luxembourg Gardens featuring a couple strolling at twilight, the woman dressed in pink while the hazy moon reflects in the fountain. His use of colour and light is outstanding. 

The Sargent and Paris exhibit, organized by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, coincides with the 100th anniversary of the artist’s death, and will feature about 100 works of art, including sketches and paintings. Also shown will be portraits created by his contemporaries. 

“Sargent’s career was indelibly shaped by the time he spent in Paris. Over the course of one remarkable decade, he created the boldest and most daring paintings of his oeuvre. Sargent and Paris will showcase these visually stunning and ambitious works, shedding new light on his distinctive artistic vision. We are thrilled to partner with the Musée d’Orsay to reunite this collection of great works in New York and Paris,” said Stephanie L. Herdrich, Alice Pratt Brown Curator of American Painting and Drawings at The Met.

Sargent is renowned as one of the greatest painters of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. If you’ll be in New York, this exhibit is not to be missed.

For more information, visit www.metmuseum.org