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Summary: The name John Singer Sargent brings to mind paintings of society belles in satin and lace, of powerful, brooding industrialists and their families -- brilliant, insightful portraits executed with a dazzling technical virtuosity that made him one of the most popular painters of his day. This popularity has survived the test of time, prompting a thoughtful reappraisal by one of our most prominent art critics, Carter Ratcliff, who shows us that Sargent's range was much greater than is usually supposed. This quiet, enigmatic man devoted much of his time to the art of watercolor, escaping the demands of his wealthy patrons whenever he could to capture the beauty of the European and American landscapes in a spontaneous, vibrant style.