 "I don't understand the other reviews...." | 2007-06-22 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2CF7V5YR7Y6UG |
| On the outside the book is large and gorgeous with a glossy dust jacket. Open the cover and the the inside color matches Lady Agnew's sash! Turn another page and -inferior quality paper. The colors of the reproductions are dull. TONS of black and white photographs. In some sections, pages and pages of just black and white photographs. By the large size of the book, I thought I would get to see large pictures. Not so, except for Chapter introductions where a close up of a detail might be featured, elsewhere there are sometimes 3-4 tiny pictures squeezed onto the same page. Too small (and some in black and white) to appreciate any of them. I was VERY disappointed and am going to return it. I have three other books on Sargent and the quality is just so much better than this one. |
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 "If you have only one book on your coffee table..." | 2007-03-31 |
| - Reviewed By jadltd |
H. H. Munro once said that to die before having one's portrait painted by Sargent was to have died prematurely. He was on target. Of course most of us cannot expect to afford the luxury of having our portrait painted by anyone of note, but if that lucky opportunity came along, alas!, now it is the artist himself who is no longer with us.
This is a wonderful book. It gives the art admirer a good look at much of J S Sargent's oeuvre and the illustrations are faithful, of the highest quality.
The book also allows one to trace Mr. Sargent's life and career, with enough detail to make the development of his art make sense. An American by linage, a Parisian by training and an Anglophile by choice, Mr. Sargent was at home in the best of houses and traveled to places that are still high on everyone's wish list. So whether he is giving us a look at the beau monde of two continents or the canals of Venice we are blessed with his record, which is truer than photography.
Once you have fallen in love with these works of art--and who cannot?--you will want to seek out those that are in public hands for a closer inspection. Do. There are two Sargents in the White House, for instance, Teddy Roosevelt in the East Room and The Mosquito Net in the Green Room. One of the many reasons to see our President's House.
But you will find Sargents in out of the way places, too. There is a fine portrait in the Richmond (VA) Museum of Art, Mrs. Vickers holding a magnolia blossom as she arranges a centerpiece before a dinner party. She, who is somewhat plain, holds that breathtaking flower and we almost hear Sargent saying, "The woman is this lovely, as well, if you take time to know her." It is well worth a trip there to see it.
And if you can, spend a goodly amount of time gazing at Madame X. It really is sensational in all meanings of the word.
If you have only one book on your coffee table, this is the book to have.
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| "John Singer Sargent" | 2006-08-25 |
| - Reviewed By olga@austarnet.com.au |
I am extremely pleased with this purchase although I haven't
reached 'the end' yet. The colour plates are clear which is
so important. I already possess Sargent Abroad which I
would also readily recommend. |
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| "More than just a coffee table book" | 2006-03-10 |
| - Reviewed By User: ART0AC4OFC91U |
| I purchased this book because my eleven year old needed it for a school project. It is more than just a pretty book, it has enough information in it for her to complete her report. I enjoy looking and reading about the work of John Sargent because his work is so beautiful. This is a book that when one feels the world is so crazy and ugly, you can pick up this book to escape. It was money well spent. |
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| "The Master at His Best!" | 2005-08-11 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1OXDPO6LY3NHG |
| In my estimation there is no better artist in all of history. Now that's a pretty bold statement, but anyone who has viewed Sargent's originals would have to agree this man painted with authority and bravado. Yes, he was a showoff. I think that sometimes he would make a brushstroke just to say "see what I can do?" A lot of people don't realize that he painted fantastic watercolors as well as great oil portraits. If you want to see what a brush can do in the hands of a true master, study the work of John Singer Sargent. |
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| "Each Painting Speaks Volumes" | 2005-08-05 |
| - Reviewed By User: A24MZKJK0S46PA |
John Singer Sargent's work is amazing. Each painting is a master class in tone, edges, color and drawing. This book is my favorite in comparison to the other published collections of his work. This collection not only has color reproductions but also contains several tonal prints (black and white) which clearly demonstrate his technique of using five major tonal values in his painting and having color fall within those tones.
You probably won't learn this in art school bur Mr. Sargent used a 10%, 30%, 50%, 70% and a 90% tone in all his work. In fact, if you were to print a strip of those five tones and lay them over the tonal reproductions of his paintings, you will learn so much in regards to lighting and modeling a human form for the highest degree of emotional impact.
In a time when angry political statements pass as art and highlight awful drawing skills and horrible color theory, a true student of art can look upon Mr. Sargent's work and find a pool of fresh water in a dry desert. To know each color choice is based on the actual color and temperature of the light source and has a specific tonal value is something that was once taught in our schools of higher education. This truth has been lost in many circles but Mr. Sargent keeps it alive with every brush stroke.
This book is worth every penny and is a must for an artist's library. Even the text is well done. Compare Sargent to Velazquez and you'll learn even more about dividing color temperatures and tonal values within the context of light and shadow. Art can be beautiful and Mr. Sargent continues to inspire and teach us along the way toward creating works that lift the soul and please the eye. |
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 "Not a bible but a book of John Singer Sargent" | |
| - Reviewed By Anonymous |
| This heavily packed artbook of John Singer Sargent's work is worth buying for any American impressionist fans. Every page is full of excellent descriptions and backgrounds of his work and life. Not to forget the colourful pages of Sargent's painting and drawings. However, if you want a complete book or at least a heavy packed bible about Sargent and his works, well, this book wouldn't satisfy you much. This is a book more of an introductory and coffeetable book for the regular art audience. |
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| "An absolutely fine piece of visual reference" | |
| - Reviewed By Anonymous |
| Most likely the best book about Sargent published to date. The colours are brilliant. The text well constructed. The visual detail is quite thorough. If one's to purchase only one book about Sargent this is the one. |
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| "great rational art writing" | |
| - Reviewed By Anonymous |
| It's nice to find a book on the subject of painting wherein the writing is almost as good as the painting described. Carter Ratcliff has a fluid, no-nonsense style that helps the reader to understand J.S. Sargent and his milieu. |
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