John Singer Sargent study morning on Wednesday 18th February 2026

John Singer Sargent was THE international art star of the Gilded Age. He was most famous for his dramatic and stylish portraits of the elegant and wealthy. He brought his subjects to life but also used fashion as a powerful tool to depict identity and personality - a portrait by Sargent was your golden ticket to high society. But Sargent was much more complex than a society flatterer and indeed much more radical. He had a huge range, from society portraits to landscapes, watercolours, sketches and murals as well as being an official war artist during the First World War. In this two part lecture series Cindy Polemis will look at John Singer Sargent as a modern rebel behind the canvas.

Meeting place - ​​​Duke Street Church, Richmond TW9 1DH.

Meeting date - Wednesday 18th February 2026

Meeting time - Please be there from 9.30am in time for a 10am start.

09.30 Registration

10.00 - 11.00 Our lectures begin

11.00 - 11.30 Break. Coffee and biscuits will be served.

11.30 - 12.45 Second lecture

The cost is £23. You will be emailed a ticket but you do not need to show it on arrival as we will have a list of names. You are most welcome to invite friends and family to buy a ticket.

Our lecturer - Arts Society lecturer Cindy Polemis has spent many years as a radio producer and presenter for the BBC World Service working in news and current affairs. Since 2016 Cindy has worked as a lecturer and an official art guide at Tate Britain and Tate Modern.

If you have any questions please contact Val Williams at auntie.val@icloud.com; Mobile 07983 682368 or Tel 020 8546 4050.

The Arts Society Richmond