John Singer Sargent
William Butler Yeats (1865–1939), arguably the preeminent poet of his generation in the English-speaking world, hailed from Ireland and was deeply immersed in various native causes, notably the Irish literary renaissance and Irish political matters. His early lyric poems and Celtic plays established his esteemed reputation. Yeats played a pivotal role in the founding of the Abbey Theatre in Dublin and the Irish Academy of Letters.
This portrait of Yeats was specially commissioned as the frontispiece for the inaugural volume of his Collected Poems in 1908. Yeats meticulously curated his image as a poet and aesthete, often seen donning velvet jackets and bow ties. John Singer Sargent, known as a leading portrait painter of his generation, skillfully accentuated his distinctive, angular features and youthful demeanor in the portrait. The poet himself found the rendering "charming" and "highly flattering," noting that Sargent was excellent company during the process.
From this portrait, Yeats seems to be a pretty charming lad!
P.S. If you enjoy DailyArt, check out our 2024 DailyArt Calendars; they are full of beautiful paintings and stories about them. :)
P.P.S. John Singer Sargent is primarily known for his spectacular painted portraits. His drawings also deserve recognition, however, as they demonstrate an incredible range of styles and subjects. They also help us understand his creative process. Check out Sargent's unknown drawings!
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