The New Student's Reference Work/Sargent, John Singer

Sar′gent, John Singer, an American painter, was born of American parents in Florence, Italy, in 1856.  He was educated in Italy, France and Germany.  His early art-training was under Carolus Duran by whom he was chosen to assist in the execution of important government commissions wherein he mastered the secrets of French technique.  His chief works are in portrait and genre; among the former Carolus Duran, Joseph Jefferson, William M. Chase, Homer St. Gaudens, President Roosevelt; among the latter, Fishing for Oysters at Cancale and Neapolitan Children Bathing.  His most ambitious and original works are the decorations in the Boston Library which include the famous Frieze of the Prophets.  His portraits reflect clearly even the subtilest traits of individuality.  His manner is French, and his treatment superior.  His Dogma of the Redemption, a portion of the wall-painting in the Boston Library, is deeply devotional and one of the finest Christian paintings of the period.  It is divided into an upper and lower panel, which seem to represent Heaven and Earth; in the upper are the three persons of the Trinity enthroned, redeeming the world; in the lower are angels bearing the reeds, nails, the spear and crown of thorns.