John Singer Sargent : The Early Portraits (Volume One)

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Summary: Sargent complete paintings volume 1
Review: For lovers of Sargent's art there can be no more welcome arrival than this superbly researched, illustrated and produced volume, the first of 5 that will form the great artist's Catalogue raisonnée. Displayed to readers for the first time are many works from the dawn of Sargent's career, from private collections, to those on the threshhold of his great international successes, all displaying the artist's characteristic virtuosity of manner, and acute psychological penetration into the depiction of his sitters, from the most humble to the most exalted. The paintings' histories and provenances make for engrossing reading, and whet the appetite for the subsequent volumes. Often a small detail in a little-known work will give as great a sense of enjoyment as that from one of the celebrated paintings. Sargent-lovers, rejoice!

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Summary: Sargent's sitters leap into life
Review: For the most part, this is a magnificent compilation of all the portraits Sargent did until 1889. The faces leap off the page, sometimes "more alive than the sitters themselves." The short essays about the creation of each work, the life of the sitter, etc., are interesting and though repetitive (there is a similarity among his subjects--rich, pampered, often without much upstairs) never get dull. My only complaint with the book is the way the side-bar notes are handled. Often a work not detailed in this book (the first of a four-volume catalogue raisonnee) is referred to for comparison, but is not illustrated, or is shown in a postage-stamp size picture (example: a lot is told about the models for Carnation Lily Lily Rose, but the repro itself is about 1" square, and impossible to see in detail. But for the most part this is a gorgeous book, indispensible for those of us still caught up in Sargentolatry, and just whets the appetite for the next volume.

Rating:
Summary: Sargent's sitters leap into life
Review: For the most part, this is a magnificent compilation of all the portraits Sargent did until 1889. The faces leap off the page, sometimes "more alive than the sitters themselves." The short essays about the creation of each work, the life of the sitter, etc., are interesting and though repetitive (there is a similarity among his subjects--rich, pampered, often without much upstairs) never get dull. My only complaint with the book is the way the side-bar notes are handled. Often a work not detailed in this book (the first of a four-volume catalogue raisonnee) is referred to for comparison, but is not illustrated, or is shown in a postage-stamp size picture (example: a lot is told about the models for Carnation Lily Lily Rose, but the repro itself is about 1" square, and impossible to see in detail. But for the most part this is a gorgeous book, indispensible for those of us still caught up in Sargentolatry, and just whets the appetite for the next volume.

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Summary: i can't wait for vol 2!
Review: i bought this book after seeing the sargent show at the met in new york. i have been studing it ever since. mr ormand, ms. kilmurray please hurry. you have brought the works of this great american master to life as no one has done before and i look forward in anticipation to vol 2.

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Summary: Most Excellent!
Review: I received this book as a Christmas present from my girlfriend. The reproductions are excellent. My only complaints are the tiny reproductions of related paintings and drawings and the long paragraphs of French quotes. Other than that this book is required reading for all Sargent fans. Hopefully some day someone will publish more books on Sargent's pencil and pen & ink drawings.C. Ousley

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Summary: Simply amazing
Review: Now, all art books should be judged by the standard this publication sets. All colored reproductions. To reproduce paintings in black and white is just criminal, and the people responsible for this book understands that. I simply can't wait for the rest of the volumes. I can't think of another artist more deserving of this royal treatment(Well, if they can do this for J.W. Waterhouse, I'd die happy).

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Summary: Just Amazing........
Review: This book is for Sargent lovers. His incredible talent oozes in these pages. I can't wait for Vol 2 of this beautiful production of Yale University Press. I got me a magnifying glass and have spent hours looking at the unbelievably grand flesh tones that Sargent commanded. You'll love reading the background data of these portrait commissions during Sargent's career. I would give it six stars if I could. See it to believe it.....if I could only paint like he did or anything barely close. One of my best of collection. Hurry up Yale and give us Vol 2.

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Summary: Excellect reproductions!
Review: This was the finest quality art book we have seen in a long time! The reproductions are excellent. It is obvious that much care and consideration went into the production of this book. The 'stories' that caption each image are in depth and enthralling, pulling information from obscure resources and contemporary letters and diary entries. The sitters' personalities are really brought to life.

We would have been willing to pay much more for a book of this quality and scope. This has been our best art purchase in years! We are eagerly awaiting the publication of volume two.