Sargent, A Masterful Stroke of Genius

This illustrated lecture traces the remarkable career of John Singer Sargent (1856– 1925), from his rise as a portrait painter in Paris to the scandal surrounding Madame X in 1884 that prompted his move to England. Slaughter will examine how Sargent overcame professional adversity to become one of the defining artists of the Gilded Age, producing many of the era's most iconic portraits while expanding his artistic vision well into the early twentieth century. The talk arrives amid renewed public interest in Sargent's work, following major retrospectives marking the centenary of the artist's death.

Drawing upon decades of experience as both an accomplished painter and educator, Slaughter offers audiences an insightful look at Sargent's technical brilliance, artistic evolution, and enduring legacy. A distinguished artist in his own right, Neill Slaughter earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Georgia in 1975 and a Master of Fine Arts…