Washington, D.C., The National Gallery of Art: »Sargent and Spain«

John Singer Sargent's travels through Spain

Rarely shown artworks by a famous painter: in Sargent and Spain, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. exhibits about 120 works by John Singer Sargent. They are related to Sargent's travels in Spain, which spanned three decades. The exhibition opens on 2 October.

October 02, 2022
John Singer Sargent, White Ships, 1908
Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by Special Subscription 09.846
John Singer Sargent, White Ships, 1908, watercolor over graphite, with gouache and wax resist, on paper, overall: 35.24 x 49.21 cm (13 7/8 x 19 3/8 in.) framed: 61.44 x 76.68 x 4.76 cm (24 3/16 x 30 3/16 x 1 7/8 in.)

Around 1900, the American John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) was the most sought-after and most expensive portraitist in the world. Countless aristocrats demanded the portraits Sargent executed with extraordinary technical skills. During his life, he travelled through Spain several times, producing paintings, watercolours and drawings. The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. is now devoting Sargent and Spain to this rather unknown aspect of Sargent's oeuvre. Most of the 120 or so works of art presented have rarely been exhibited before, which makes the show a special experience. In addition, from 2 October to 2 January, visitors will see 28 unpublished photographs that Sargent most likely shot himself.

John Singer Sargent was born in Florence to US parents and spent almost his entire life in various European cities. From his teacher Carolus-Duran he inherited an enthusiasm for the Spanish painter Diego Velázquez, whose paintings Sargent copied in the Prado. Sargent and his particular technical skills were accused towards the end of his life of producing only superficial art. By this time he had long since earned a reputation as the best portrait painter in the world. Over 900 oil paintings and 2000 watercolours by Sargent are known today.Art.Salon

John Singer Sargent, Study for Spanish Dancer, c. 1880–1881
Dallas Museum of Art, Foundation for the Arts Collection, gift of Margaret J. and George V. Charlton, in memory of Eugene McDermott, Image courtesy Dallas Museum of Art
John Singer Sargent, Study for Spanish Dancer, c. 1880–1881, watercolor over graphite on paper, image: 30.16 x 20 cm (11 7/8 x 7 7/8 in.) framed: 52.07 x 41.28 x 4.13 cm (20 1/2 x 16 1/4 x 1 5/8 in.)
John Singer Sargent, Women at Work, c. 1912
Private Collection; Seattle, Washington, Image courtesy of A.J. Kollar Fine Paintings, LLC; Seattle, Washington
John Singer Sargent, Women at Work, c. 1912, oil on canvas, framed: 87.63 x 102.87 cm (34 1/2 x 40 1/2 in.) image: 56.52 x 71.12 cm (22 1/4 x 28 in.)

Dive deeper into the art world

Jeff Wall at the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto

For the first time in over 25 years, there is another major exhibition on Jeff Wall in Canada: the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto is presenting over 50 works by the renowned artist in Jeff Wall Photographs 1984–2023. The exhibition runs until March 22, 2026.

December 22, 2025
Los Angeles County Museum of Art

With this exhibition, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art examines how part of its collection developed: Collecting Impressionism at LACMA opens on December 21.

December 20, 2025