1885, John Singer Sargent, Arsène Vigeant -- Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) (special exhibition)
From the museum label: The fencing master Arsène Vigeant (1844-1916) was a charismatic figure at the Cercle de l'Union Artistique, a private club in Paris whose membership included Sargent and Carolus-Duran, along with other key artistic figures. Fencing was a popular pastime among the social elite during the 1870s and 1880s, and a sketchbook of drawings suggests that Sargent was attracted by the lithe athleticism of the sport. Sargent portrays Vigeant wearing his white fencing jacket and clutching a book-signifying his physical and intellectual pursuits. A flash of light in the background reveals his sword nearby, while his direct gaze and alert pose suggest a man ready to spring into action.
1885, John Singer Sargent, Arsène Vigeant -- Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) (special exhibition)
From the museum label: The fencing master Arsène Vigeant (1844-1916) was a charismatic figure at the Cercle de l'Union Artistique, a private club in Paris whose membership included Sargent and Carolus-Duran, along with other key artistic figures. Fencing was a popular pastime among the social elite during the 1870s and 1880s, and a sketchbook of drawings suggests that Sargent was attracted by the lithe athleticism of the sport. Sargent portrays Vigeant wearing his white fencing jacket and clutching a book-signifying his physical and intellectual pursuits. A flash of light in the background reveals his sword nearby, while his direct gaze and alert pose suggest a man ready to spring into action.