1886 (ca.), John Singer Sargent, Ernest Ange Duez -- Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) (special exhibition)
From the museum label: In this unusual portrait of his boulevard Berthier neighbor, artist Ernest Ange Duez (1843-1896), Sargent portrays his friend against a floral backdrop, apparently one of Duez's own paintings of hydrangeas, creating a vibrant setting. In addition to his success as a painter of flowers, Duez exhibited religious and historical scenes at the Salon. Sargent and Duez shared a similar social and artistic circle, which included influential society figure Winnaretta Singer (whose portrait hangs nearby). Sargent's artistic friendships in Paris often involved the mutual exchange of art. In this instance, Sargent gifted this portrait to Duez as a token of friendship, and in return he reportedly received a painting of blue hydrangeas against a seascape.
1886 (ca.), John Singer Sargent, Ernest Ange Duez -- Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) (special exhibition)
From the museum label: In this unusual portrait of his boulevard Berthier neighbor, artist Ernest Ange Duez (1843-1896), Sargent portrays his friend against a floral backdrop, apparently one of Duez's own paintings of hydrangeas, creating a vibrant setting. In addition to his success as a painter of flowers, Duez exhibited religious and historical scenes at the Salon. Sargent and Duez shared a similar social and artistic circle, which included influential society figure Winnaretta Singer (whose portrait hangs nearby). Sargent's artistic friendships in Paris often involved the mutual exchange of art. In this instance, Sargent gifted this portrait to Duez as a token of friendship, and in return he reportedly received a painting of blue hydrangeas against a seascape.