Art Lecture: Sargent and Spain

The exhibit Sargent and Spain, at the Legion of Honor from February 11 through May 14, explores the many ways the people, culture, and landscape of Spain inspired the 19th-century American painter John Singer Sargent. In anticipation of the exhibition, Cambridge alumnus and classical painter Sean Forester will give a lecture on Sargent’s art and its rich, varied dialogue with Spanish culture, exploring these questions among others: What techniques did Sargent use to create his brilliant watercolors and oil paintings? How did his study of the great Spanish painter Velazquez influence his style? What in flamenco dance, Catholic religious practice, and Spain’s landscapes, buildings, and gardens so attracted him?

Sean Forester is a Bay Area artist and lecturer who studied English literature at Cambridge and classical painting at the Florence Academy of Art. He leads cultural travel tours in Europe for Classical Pursuits and teaches painting at the Golden Gate Atelier in Oakland. The artistic techniques Sean studied in Florence are similar to those Sargent learned in the atelier of Carolus-Duran in Paris.

This talk will be moderated by Julien Reiman who received his MPhil in American History from Trinity College of the University of Cambridge in May 2022. After Cambridge, Julien served as a speechwriter at a firm serving clients like Hillary Clinton and the CEOs of Patagonia and BlackRock. He also advised small business owners in America and India at the financial technology company Stripe.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of our own and to learn more about the life and work of John Singer Sargent.

**Location: Black Cat Bar at The University Club **