Inspired by Sargent

September 1 – September 26 | Reception: Friday, September 11, 5 – 8 pm

Inspired by Sargent explores a creative dialogue between John Singer Sargent (1856–1925) and fifteen Metro Detroit artists from Mary Step’s De La Vie Studio: Candace Brancik, Jayne Brophy, Carole Cooper, Kathy Fish, Sara Hadley, Catherine Hetherington, Jim Karell, Janet Kondziela, Darlene McBroom, Brant MacLean, Kathleen McNamee, Kathleen O’Connell, Linda Pelowski, Susan S. Perrish, and Sandra Schou.

Reimagining Sargent

The exhibition was inspired by Mary Step’s visit to the 2023 exhibition Fashioned by Sargent at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Fascinated by Sargent’s use of costume, Step began designing live-model sessions based on his paintings, recreating their poses, costumes, and atmosphere using fabrics, clothing, props, books, and backdrops to bring the spirit of the original works into the present. During weekly 2½-hour sessions that began in January 2024, artists painted directly from observation, exploring seventeen Sargent-inspired settings while photographing each setup for continued work in their own studios. Building on the collaborative success of the studio’s 2017 Inspired by… exhibition at the Padzieski Gallery in Dearborn, fifteen of these poses became the foundation for Inspired by Sargent.

From Observation to Interpretation

The works in this exhibition reflect a wide range of artistic approaches. While some artists embraced the immediacy of alla prima painting, attempting to complete much of the image in a single session, most built their compositions through careful study and later refinement. Rather than serving as a template for imitation, each Sargent painting became a point of departure. Artists selected the elements that resonated most strongly with them, whether a gesture, expression, costume, color harmony, composition, brushwork, or mood, and transformed those qualities through their own artistic vision and medium.

A Conversation Across Time

Throughout the gallery, works are organized around the Sargent painting and live-model pose that inspired them. Each grouping begins with a historical source and expands into a range of modern responses.

As you explore the exhibition, consider the following questions: What did each artist keep from Sargent’s original painting? What did they change? And what would Sargent recognize in these 21st-century works? The answers reveal not only the enduring influence of Sargent’s art, but also the many ways artists continue to reinterpret and renew his vision for a contemporary audience.

Artisan Store

The majority of works are for sale online and in the gallery.

Book Club

September 9, 6:30 – 7:30 pm | From Page to Palette Book Club

Join the Northville Art House and Northville District Library to discuss I am Madame X by Gioia Diliberto which reimagines the dramatic life of Virginie Gautreau, an American-born Paris socialite who became the subject of John Singer Sargent’s famous and highly controversial 1884 painting, Madame X.

Workshops

September 12, 10 am – 5 pm | Inspired by Sargent Workshop for ages 16+

John Singer Sargent is well-known for his large-scale oil portrait paintings. But many don’t realize that he had a passion for drawing as well. In fact, in his last 15 years, while he only painted 30 oil portraits, he created over 500 two-hour charcoal studies.

This workshop will explore his passion for drawing and painting by dedicating the first half of our day to working in black and white and the second half to color. A live model will be present for the duration of the day.

Instructor: Amy Foster
Cost: (M) $120; (NM) $132 | Students bring supplies (.pdf supply list coming soon)

Saturday, September 26, 10 am – 11 am| PRESCHOOL PLAYDATE WORKSHOP

Join Director Shannon Karol for this fun program designed for preschoolers (ages 2-5) and their favorite grown-up. In September, we’ll read a story about the artist John Singer Sargent, look at artworks, and create a special art project inspired by what we have seen. | $10 (m) $12 (nm) Registration covers adult and child participants.

Gallery Presentation

September 26, 1 pm | Director’s Talk: Who Is John Singer Sargent?

Executive Director Shannon Karol explores the life, work, and lasting influence of one of America’s greatest portrait painters, John Singer Sargent (1856–1925).

Sargent is admired for combining realism, impressionistic light, and extraordinary technical skill to his portraits, landscapes, watercolors, and charcoal drawings.

Join us for the Director’s Talk and the exhibition on its last day of public viewing. Free, donations welcomed.