Submitted by Elizabeth Oustinoff, Feb 1, 2007 14:34

Mr. Gardner,

I would not presume to challenge your views, which seem to echo those of Sargent's old nemesis Roger Fry, concerning the artist's lack of soul. However, I do take issue with your comment in reference to his livilihood as a portraitist that "he affected to disdain this source of his bread and butter in favor of other genres to which he fervently believed he was better suited." That Sargent grew tired of painting portraits after several decades and hundreds of faces is true, but arrogance and contempt were not remotely part of his character. He had great respect for his profession as a portrait artist and continued to do portraits in charcoal and oil for the rest of his life. It was not that he felt better suited to landscapes than portraits, he had earned his leisure time and he "fervently" enjoyed painting what he liked. Nowadays its called semi-retirement.

Elizabeth Oustinoff

Director

Adelson Galleries

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