Mrs. Richard H. Derby (Primary Title)
John Singer Sargent, American (born Italy), 1856 - 1925 (Artist)
Under the influence of his teacher, the French master Carolus-Duran, Sargent developed a distinctive talent for grand manner portraiture, which quickly became his bread and butter. Mrs. Richard H. Derby was painted just one year after the artist’s professional debut in the United States, yet already his influence was firmly established. With his broad and fluid brush and quick dashes of ornamental detail, Sargent signaled the principal importance of Mrs. Derby’s superficial identity: her wealth, her decorum, her restraint. The elite veneer guaranteed Sargent’s success among a fashionable coterie of New York patrons. The portrait reputedly took eighteen sittings in Sargent’s Washington Square studio.
Signed at lower left: "John S. Sargent"
Dated at lower right: "1888"
Donated by James W. McGlothlin as part of the James W. and Frances Gibson McGlothlin Collection of American Art
"From Mourning to Night: John Singer Sargent and Black in Fashion," Fleming Museum, Burlington, VT (October 2 - December 14, 2012).
"Portraits of Yesterday and Today: A Loan Exhibition of the New York Scene in the Golden Nineties, For the Benefit of the American Red Cross," Grand Central Art Galleries, New York (May 5-19, 1943) no. 10.
Brooklyn Museum (June 21 - November 13, 1919) on loan.
"Paintings and Sketches by John S. Sargent," Copley Hall, Boston (February 20 - March 13, 1899) no. 22.
"Loan Exhibition of Portraits of Women for the Benefit of St. John's Guild and the Orthopaedic Hospital," National Academy of Design, New York (November 1-24, 1894) no. 257.
"Tenth Exhibition," Society of American Artists, New York (April 9 - May 5, 1888) no. 99.
"Portraits of Yesterday and Today: A Loan Exhibition of the New York Scene in the Golden Nineties, For the Benefit of the American Red Cross," Grand Central Art Galleries, New York (May 5-19, 1943) no. 10.
Brooklyn Museum (June 21 - November 13, 1919) on loan.
"Paintings and Sketches by John S. Sargent," Copley Hall, Boston (February 20 - March 13, 1899) no. 22.
"Loan Exhibition of Portraits of Women for the Benefit of St. John's Guild and the Orthopaedic Hospital," National Academy of Design, New York (November 1-24, 1894) no. 257.
"Tenth Exhibition," Society of American Artists, New York (April 9 - May 5, 1888) no. 99.
Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.
