Born in Florence to American parents who took him all over Europe, John Singer Sargent studied in both Italy and France, while continuing his own explorations in places like Spain, the Netherlands and Morocco. He would eventually settle in London, with stints on the East Coast of America, painting landscapes and society portraits.

Friends with some of the most distinguished artists of his day, and fashioning the well heeled wherever he went, Sargent had extensive transnational social networks. His fluid cosmopolitan lifestyle and experience with artistic styles gave him the ability to tailor his artistic approach to his international subjects and audiences.

In this talk we will examine how this citizen of nowhere became everyone’s favourite portraitist.