Tate Britain is wonderful for a wander. But it’s a rare treat to visit a room-full of portraits and hear from someone who’s related to the people in them.
The Wertheimer bequest is a collection of 12 full size portraits full of life, painted by John Singer Sargent at the height of his popularity.
Our very own Natasha, a Tate volunteer, told us about the people behind the pictures and gave us some insights into what Sargent was like as a painter – cross him at your peril!
Sargent was in huge demand at the time and it’s testament to his friendship with Asher Wertheimer, a twinkly-looking man in his portrait, that so many were able to be commissioned.
A number of the paintings were in the family dining room – which came to be nicknamed the Sargent’s Mess. And there were stories in the paintings themselves. Natasha's great grandmother Ena Wertheimer, late for everything, swept in for her sitting and Sargent was keen on getting the movement into the painting. Declaring it impossible, Ena used a broomstick to get her cloak sweeping up behind her.
Sargent is said to have preferred to paint people who were not aristocrats. He liked to have a relationship with his sitters.
He was also famous for his gargantuan appetite. So it’s fitting that we adjourned to the café…
A huge thank you to Natasha for a fascinating talk and thanks to Kate for these photos.
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