Kunst im Kino: John Singer Sargent

Documentary about the work and style-defining influence of the famous portrait painter John Singer Sargent.

John Singer Sargent is regarded as the greatest portrait painter of his time. What made his "Swagger" portraits so special was his authority over the sitters - he determined their clothing and how they should present themselves to the public. Through interviews with curators, contemporary fashion designers, and influential figures, Exhibition on Screen explores how Sargent's extraordinary approach to work has influenced modern art, culture, and fashion. Filmed at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the Tate Britain in London, the exhibition showcases how Sargent managed to express unique personalities, power dynamics, and gender identities in this fascinating time of cultural reinvention. In addition to 50 portraits by Sargent, we see impressive garments and accessories worn by his sitters - allowing us to virtually step into the artist's studio. Sargent's subjects were often wealthy, their clothing expensive. But what happens when you entrust yourself to a great artist? The staging of public identity is as controversial and contested today as it was at the beginning of the 20th century, but somehow Sargent's work transcends all social stereotypes and captures a seductive truth with every brushstroke.