You know the paintings; now focus on the fashion within the art by taking a look at the sumptuous textiles, elegant silhouettes, and architectural underpinnings that supported it all. What goes unseen in John Singer Sargent’s representations of beauty is the work women put into sculpting their appearances for the world to see. Color, texture, and shape all play a role in this seduction of the eye.
Penney Pinette, costume shop manager and adjunct lecturer, Boston University
Wednesday, November 15, 2023