One of the most famous and prolific American painter John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) studied at the Paris Ecole des Beaux Arts and mostly lived in London. He gained a huge reputation as a portraitist. He knew most of the Impressionists. Pissaro's son said of him he was: “an adroit performer”. He had excellent relation with Monet and visited Giverny where he painted two portraits of his friend “Claude Monet Painting At The Edge Of A Wood” in 1885, and “Claude Monet In His Bateau-Atelier” in 1887.
John Singer Sargent produced homoerotic works such as : “Portrait of Nicola d'Inverno” (1892), his assistant and model with whom he had a long-time relationship. Since his family destroyed his papers when he died, evidence of his homosexuality cannot be established but is present in his works. His erotic paintings showing genitalia were never exhibited.
The Boston Public Library mural “Triumph of Religion” (1890-1919) shows lots of young male bodies.
He associated with Oscar Wilde and Robert de Montesquiou and had close friendship with men. He made countless watercolours, painted scenes of Venice, landscapes and this stunning “Muddy Alligators”.
“Alligators”, watercolour by John Singer Sargent.
“Nude Portrait of Nicola d'Inverno” and “Portait of Nicola d'Inverno” can be found here but please be aware that these painting are nude.
