October 8, 2023–January 15, 2024

Fashioned by Sargent

Timed-Entry Ticket Required

Who creates your image?

In portraits by John Singer Sargent (1856–1925), sitters assume elegant stances, the fabric of their dress richly depicted in broad, sensuous strokes of paint. Sargent brought his subjects to life, but he did much more than simply record what appeared before him. He often chose what his sitters wore and, even if they arrived in his studio dressed in the latest fashions, he frequently simplified and altered the details. Exploiting dress was an integral part of his artistry.

Organized with Tate Britain, “Fashioned by Sargent” explores the artist’s complex relationship with his often-affluent clients and their clothes. The exhibition reveals Sargent’s power over his sitters’ images by considering the liberties he took with sartorial choices to express distinctive personalities, social positions, professions, gender identities, and nationalities. Alongside about 50 paintings by Sargent, over a dozen period garments and accessories shed new light on the relationship between fashion and this beloved artist’s creative practice.

“The coat is the picture,” Sargent once told Graham Robertson, clearly articulating the role dress played in his work. The exhibition features Robertson’s portrait as well as style icons like Madame X, Lady Agnew, and Dr. Pozzi at Home. Visitors can also see several paintings together with the garments worn by the sitters, among them Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth with her beetle-wing-encrusted costume, and Mrs. Charles Inches (Louise Pomeroy) with her red velvet evening gown. Step into the making of a Sargent portrait and consider ideas of curating—and controlling—one’s image.

See It with a Ticket

Everyone needs a ticket (general admission included) to visit this exhibition, including members.

Tickets go on sale to the public September 12; to members September 6.

In addition to getting early ticket access, members are invited to a special exhibition preview from October 4 through 7, before it opens to the public. Join today!

Member Preview

October 4–7, 2023

Ann and Graham Gund Gallery (Gallery LG31)

A painting of a woman, Lady Agnew, wearing a purple ruffled dress and ornate necklace sitting in a floral chair against a blue background.

A woman in a black gown stands with her right arm leaning on a table and her left arm gathering the fabric of her dress.

A woman and her daughter wear flowing gowns and sit close to one another on ornate chairs.

John Singer Sargent paints a portrait of Mrs. Fiske Warren and her daughter who are posed in his studio.

A woman sits for a portrait in a burgundy silk dress.

A burgundy, silk dress with bowed sleeves.

A portrait of Lady Helen Vincent leaning against a wall in a voluminous gown.

A portrait of a man, Lord Ribblesdale, standing in a suit, overcoat, boots, top hat, and holding a cane in his left hand.

A portrait of the Spanish dancer Carmen Moreno in a yellow, beaded dress.

A yellow, beaded dress and scarf combination placed on a mannequin.

A man in a bright red robe stands against dark red velvet with his left arm akimbo and tight hand at his chest.

Actress Ellen Terry dressed in a green gown as Lady Macbeth holds a crown over her head.

A mannequin wears a green dress with wide sleeves and golden belt.

A seated portrait of John D. Rockefeller.

A portrait of Madame Ramón Subercaseaux wearing a white gown and red flower in her hair while seated at a piano.

A young girl in a pale gown sits on a wooden bench with her hands clasped on her lap.

John Singer Sargent, Lady Agnew of Lochnaw, 1892

Oil on canvas. National Galleries of Scotland, purchased with the aid of the Cowan Smith Bequest Fund, 1925.

John Singer Sargent, Madame X (Madame Pierre Gautreau), 1883–1884

Oil on canvas. Lent by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Arthur Hoppock Hearn Fund, 1916 (16.53). Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

John Singer Sargent, Mrs. Fiske Warren (Gretchen Osgood) and Her Daughter Rachel, 1903

Oil on canvas. Gift of Mrs. Rachel Warren Barton and Emily L. Ainsley Fund.

John Templeman Coolidge, John Singer Sargent painting Mrs. Fiske Warren (Gretchen Osgood) and her daughter Rachel in the Gothic Room, 1903

Platinum print. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston.

John Singer Sargent, Mrs. Charles E. Inches (Louise Pomeroy), 1887

Oil on canvas. Anonymous gift in memory of Mrs. Charles Inches’ daughter, Louise Brimmer.

Unidentified maker, evening dress, American, about 1887–1902

Silk velvet with silk plain weave lining. Anonymous gift in honor of Louise B. Seton.

John Singer Sargent, Lady Helen Vincent, Vicountess d’Abernon, 1904

Oil on canvas. Collection of the Birmingham Museum of Art. Museum purchase with funds provided by John Bohorfoush, the 1984 Museum Dinner and Ball, and the Museum Store. 1984.121.

John Singer Sargent, Lord Ribblesdale, 1902

Oil on canvas. The National Gallery, London, presented by Lord Ribblesdale in memory of Lady Ribblesdale and his sons, Captain the Hon. Thomas Lister and Lieutenant the Hon. Charles Lister. 1916.

John Singer Sargent, La Carmencita, about 1890

Oil on canvas. Musée d’Orsay, Paris. Purchased from the artist for the State, for the Luxembourg, 1892. Photograph © RMN-Grand Palais / Art Resource, New York.

Unidentified maker, costume for Carmen Dauset Moreno (Carmencita), about 1890

Silk satin and net, trimmed with silver gilt thread, spangles, and beads. Private Collection. Photograph © Houghton Hall/Pete Huggins.

John Singer Sargent, Dr. Pozzi at Home, 1881

Oil on canvas. The Armand Hammer Collection, Gift of the Armand Hammer Foundation. Hammer Museum, Los Angeles.

John Singer Sargent, Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth, 1889

Oil on canvas. Tate Britain, presented by Sir Joseph Duveen (the elder), 1906. Photo: Tate.

“Beetle Wing Dress” for Lady Macbeth, designed by Alice Laura Comyns Carr and Ada Cort Nettleship, 1888

Cotton, silk, lace, beetle-wing cases, glass, and metal. National Trust Collections, Smallhythe Place (The Ellen Terry Collection). © National Trust Images/David Brunetti.

John Singer Sargent, John D. Rockefeller, 1917

Oil on canvas. Kykuit, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Pocantico Hills, New York. Bequest of John D. Rockefeller 3rd, Nelson A. Rockefeller, Laurance S. Rockefeller, David Rockefeller. Photo by Ben Asen.

John Singer Sargent, Madame Ramón Subercaseaux, 1880–81

John Singer Sargent, Elsie Palmer, 1889–90

Oil on canvas. Collection of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College. Museum Purchase Fund Acquired through Public Subscription and Debutante Ball Purchase Fund. FA 1969.3.1.