Collection

San Giuseppe di Castello, Venice, about 1903, Watercolor on paper, 30.6 x 45.8 cm
Left
  • <em>San Giuseppe di Castello, Venice</em>, about 1903, Watercolor on paper, 30.6 x 45.8 cm
  • <em>Santa Maria della Salute, Venice</em>, 1903-1907, Watercolor on paper, 34.9 x 53.5 cm
  • <em>Ponte della Canonica, Venice</em>, 1903-1907, Watercolor on paper, 45.8 x 30.6 cm
  • <em>Santa Maria dei Gesuati</em>, Venice, 1903-1904, Watercolor on paper, 37.9 x 53.7 cm
  • <em>A Tent in the Rockies</em>, about 1916, Watercolor on paper, 38 x 52 cm
  • <em>Mrs. Gardner in White</em>, 1922, Watercolor on paper, 43 x 32 cm
  • <em>Bus Horses in Jerusalem</em>, 1905, Watercolor on paper, 40 x 52 cm
  • <em>Incensing the Veil</em>, about 1880, Watercolor on paper, 30 x 20 cm
  • <em>Mrs. Gardner</em>, 1887, Pencil on paper, 20.5 x 12.8 cm
  • Receipt for <em>A Tent in the Rockies</em> and <em>Santa Maria della Salute</em> from the gallery Doll and Richards, Boston, 26 October 1916.
  • Receipt for <em>Santa Maria dei Gesuati</em> from the dealer Daniel Farr, Philadelphia, 19 October 1920.
  • Letter from John Singer Sargent to Isabella Stewart Gardner, 31 Tite Street, Chelsea, S.W., London, 24 February 1909. “You must also go and see my watercolors…They must be on show in Boston now”.
  • Letter from John Singer Sargent to Isabella Stewart Gardner, 31 Tite Street, Chelsea, S.W., London, 24 February 1909. “You must also go and see my watercolors…They must be on show in Boston now”.
  • Sidney Carter (1880-1956), Portrait of John Singer Sargent, 1920, Gelatin silver print, Gift to Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum from Sidney Carter.
  • Letter from John Singer Sargent to Isabella Stewart Gardner, Grand Hotel Britannia, Venice, 14 September 1902. “It is a treat to look forward to paying you a visit when I go to Boston…I hear wonders of your collection and of the house”
  • Letter from John Singer Sargent to Isabella Stewart Gardner, Grand Hotel Britannia, Venice, 14 September 1902. “It is a treat to look forward to paying you a visit when I go to Boston…I hear wonders of your collection and of the house”
  • Letter from John Singer Sargent to Isabella Stewart Gardner, Grand Hotel Britannia, Venice, 14 September 1902. “It is a treat to look forward to paying you a visit when I go to Boston…I hear wonders of your collection and of the house”
  • Letter from John Singer Sargent to Isabella Stewart Gardner, Hotel Vendome, Boston, 19 November 1916. “Is the watercolor somewhat like this? If so it is the one I spoke of.”
  • John Singer Sargent Painting in the Gothic Room, 1903, Platinum print.
  • John Singer Sargent Painting Mrs. Fiske Warren and her Daughter Rachel in the Gothic Room, 1903, Platinum print.
  • John Singer Sargent Painting the Schooner Catherine, 1921, Gelatin silver print, Gift to Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum from Richard Hale, 1929
  • John Singer Sargent Painting the Schooner Catherine, 1921, Gelatin silver print, Gift to Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum from Richard Hale, 1929
Right
 

The Inscrutable Eye:
Watercolors by John Singer Sargent in Isabella Stewart Gardner’s Collection

October 31, 2013–February 10, 2014 | Fenway Gallery

Extended through Monday, February 10, 2014.

The Gardner Museum’s collection offers a rich trove of works by John Singer Sargent. Best known are his legendary Portrait of Isabella Stewart Gardner and the monumental El Jaleo, but dozens of other works by Sargent are displayed throughout the galleries. This exhibition offers a look at the vibrant watercolors Sargent made for his own pleasure that were avidly collected by Gardner towards the end of her life. With their brilliant technique and fresh colors, these pictures reveal the stupendous qualities of Sargent’s draftsmanship.

This exhibition brings together for the first time a selection of watercolors and personal artifacts that shed light on the lifelong friendship between Gardner and Sargent based on their shared passion for art.

This selection of works will be on view concurrently with the exhibition John Singer Sargent Watercolors at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

The Inscrutable Eye: Watercolors by John Singer Sargent in the Collection of Isabella Stewart Gardner was co-curated by Oliver Tostmann, William and Lia Poorvu Curator of the Collection and Associate Curator Anne-Marie Eze.

See The Inscrutable Eye Online

Click on the thumbnails of any of the works in the image gallery at left to view larger images of works in the exhibition. The Inscrutable Eye includes materials from the Gardner Museum's archives, such as Sargent's letters to Gardner, and receipts for watercolors. These can also be viewed by clicking into the gallery at left.