John Singer Sargent: Figures and Landscapes, 1900-1907: The Complete Paintings, Volume VII (Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art) Hardcover – November 13, 2012

I couldn't be happier with and more thankful for Volume 7 in this monograph series of extraordinary scholarship and lovely reproductions of John Singer Sargent's paintings. Volume 7 is the perfect companion to Volume 6 John Singer Sargent: Venetian Figures and Landscapes 1898-1913: Complete Paintings: Volume VI, one of my very favorite go-to books to enjoy this fine artist's work.I thoroughly disagree with 2 of the previous reviews; I'm so glad that I decided to buy this book in spite of them.With what eyes does one look at these beautiful paintings and call them cr@p?Yes, it is a catalogue raisonné. There are many oils, as well as watercolors included. Yes, Sargent was prolific and enjoyed painting watercolors as he left off painting society portraits. This volume is reflective of that. Moreover, Sargent is regarded as one of the finest and most successful proponents of the watercolor medium to have ever lived. Surely, the few unfinished watercolor studies that are included enlighten the viewer as to Sargent's working methods in a way that written language cannot. 'Finished' or 'unfinished', they are a delight to the eye that loves beauty.This book is highly recommended and worth every cent, both for it's incisive scholarship and for the high quality and volume of color reproductions.

This review covers the entire 9-volume series of the Sargent catalogue raisonnee. Each volume in this set is absolutely glorious. The color reproductions are beautiful; in the landscape volumes (IV-IX), the photographs accompanying many of the paintings are a great addition. No one volume is better than any of the others; they should really be considered one long (2700 pages, give or take) book. I have not read any of them cover to cover--yet. I have skimmed the first volume and some of the others, and intend/plan/hope to read all nine cover to cover in the next ten years or so. So check back in in 2027.

I'm a fan of Sargent's coloring, so I've purchased a few of his works presented in this set of volumes. I'm more of a picture person than someone who knows a lot about his life so I can't say much to the information that is presented in the book as I've yet to read it in-depth, but I appreciate the many drawings and paintings of his that are showcased.

This series has been spectacular. Large images in full color with excellent reproductions of the artwork. Intelligent discussion of the works, the artist and the settings, presented in well-thought out volumes. We've collected the first seven and have been very happy. I only wish these authors could do something similar for Thomas Dewing and other less-represented artists. A smart investment for anyone interested in the arts.

I'm an artist and a HUGE fan of Sargent, and I think this book is absolutely wonderful in many respects. It takes its place in the catalog project very respectably, with its usual top-notch scholarship, and in offering a healthy dose of insight into this phase of Sargent's life and artistic development. There is a feast for the eyes, mind, and heart here, but the authors do offer some caveats, such as how difficult it is to ascertain the year for whole groups of the works. This is disappointing to some of us who love to consider what a particular summer of the artist's life was like for example. But it is understandable and very forgivable in this look back over time. The essays that introduce each section are the most interesting and insightful.I'm taking a star off though, because a handful of the reproductions are low quality, almost appearing as if they were captured with a phone camera or something, when comparing the same images to other books. To the degree that I can say this to the publisher, please keep reproduction quality as a top priority in future volumes. We really do enjoy the images the most. Also, many of the essays accompanying the paintings are what I call "Moo" or master of the obvious writing. Ever overheard a docent tour in a museum: "Here we have a lady wearing a white dress. It's a lovely white dress, beautifully painted, and notice the geraniums on the table, very red, and very much like geraniums ..." One has to spoon through more of this than one would like for the meatier tidbits floating around.Hopefully the few reproduction bugs can get shooed away before the next volume, and I will eagerly await it with drool and gratitude as always.

There a few ridiculous reviews of this book, including a one star review. I'm not sure what book they got, but it wasn't this one. This is every bit as wonderful as the other six volumes in this series.A few people complained about the quality of the reproductions. If you read the captions you would realize that some of the reproductions are from "untraced" paintings. They put in the only photo available. This is a catalog raisonne ( may have spelled that wrong) it is not just a book of nice reproductions. If they want a coffee table book of full page photos, there are many available.Anyway, as a painter, I love studies, sketchy watercolors and the like. Sargent remains for me one the most talented artists ever. Has anyone ever shown such "joy" through paint? Such breadth of technique in so many areas? Not that I know of. This only confirms that and I hope the next volume arrives soon! I'm scared they may quit or not finish.

As a "Sargentphile" I am always happy to see and read another monograph or museum catalog regarding Sargent. I have enjoyedespecially the work and scholarship of Richard Ormond and his colleagues in previous volumes. I hope to see the completion ofthe complete works series and other offerings relating to my favorite artist.

This is a great coffee table book. It's pretty and educational if you wish to read it. Either way it is pretty on the table.