Considered one of the greatest portraitists of his time, John Singer Sargent left a lasting impression with his works, subtly blending portraiture with the fashion of his era. This film reveals how Sargent captured the elegance, personality, and fashion codes of his subjects, turning them into unique testimonies of their time. Filmed at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and Tate Britain in London, this film takes the viewer deep into Sargent’s studio. A selection of paintings is showcased, alongside period objects — clothing and accessories worn by his models. These elements reveal how the artist captured gender identities and the distinct personalities of his subjects during an era of cultural reinvention. A visual tribute inviting us to rediscover the work of a master through a unique perspective, blending art and fashion.
By David Bickerstaff, director of : Van Gogh : Poets & Lovers (2024), Vermeer : The Greatest Exhibition (2023), Pissarro : Father of Impressionism (2022).
By David Bickerstaff, director of : Van Gogh : Poets & Lovers (2024), Vermeer : The Greatest Exhibition (2023), Pissarro : Father of Impressionism (2022).
Also presented:
Vancouver International Film Festival, Canada (2024)
Tate Britain Film, United Kingdom (2024)
Vancouver International Film Festival, Canada (2024)
Tate Britain Film, United Kingdom (2024)
| Director | David Bickerstaff |
| Coauthor | Phil Grabsky |
| Editing | David Bickerstaff |
| Music | Asa Bennett |
In Partnership with
Session
• Cinéma du Musée - Auditorium Maxwell-Cummings
Monday, march 17, 2025, 05:15 p.m. — 06:45 p.m.
Production
David Bickerstaff
David Bickerstaff is an artist and award-winning filmmaker who founded Atomictv in 1997 as an umbrella organisation for developing digital art projects and collaborations. His documentary work and video installations such as The Lukhang, Hygieia, Heavy Water: a film for Chernobyl and Making War Horse have been broadcast in Britain and shown in many international festivals and exhibitions, which include the Wellcome Collection, Vitra Museum, Onedotzero, Festival International du Film sur L’Art Montreal, and the documentary fortnight at the Museum of Modern Art New York. In recent years, he has been directing and filming a series of short artist documentaries for Art360 Foundation which offers funding for artists to build an archive of their work. David has also been collaborating with producer Phil Grabsky at the innovative EXHIBITION ON SCREEN, directing, filming and co-writing ten feature-length art documentaries. This popular series is distributed to 63 countries and shown in over 1500 cinemas worldwide. Each film looks at an iconic artist and a major exhibition of their work in world renown art galleries. Titles include Sunflowers, Lucian Freud: A Self Portrait, Van Gogh & Japan, Degas: A Passion for Perfection, Michelangelo: Love and Death, Canaletto & The Art of Venice, along with other films about artists such as Claude Monet, Hieronymus Bosch and Francisco Goya.
David is also the Creative Director at NewAngle Productions, a design practice that produces video installations and interactives for visitor attractions. Recent clients including the Royal Collection Trust, British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, Historic Royal Palaces, Museum of London, the Royal Observatory, and the National maritime Museum. He has won various awards for his projects and is a member of British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
Biographical notes provided by the film production team
David is also the Creative Director at NewAngle Productions, a design practice that produces video installations and interactives for visitor attractions. Recent clients including the Royal Collection Trust, British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, Historic Royal Palaces, Museum of London, the Royal Observatory, and the National maritime Museum. He has won various awards for his projects and is a member of British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
Biographical notes provided by the film production team
Selected films:
Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers, Exhibition on Screen (2024)
Tokyo Stories, Exhibition on Screen (2023)
Vermeer: The Greatest Exhibition, Exhibition on Screen (2023)
Pissarro: Father of Impressionism (2022)
The Danish Collector: Delacroix to Gauguin, Exhibition on Screen (2021)
Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers, Exhibition on Screen (2024)
Tokyo Stories, Exhibition on Screen (2023)
Vermeer: The Greatest Exhibition, Exhibition on Screen (2023)
Pissarro: Father of Impressionism (2022)
The Danish Collector: Delacroix to Gauguin, Exhibition on Screen (2021)
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