Jim Caldwell talks about the genius of artist John Singer Sargent on October 4

On Friday, October 4, from 7:00 to  8:00 pm, art historian Jim Caldwell (pictured) will talk about the genius of artist John Singer Sargent. This First Friday event takes place at Independence Hall, 2955 Woodside Road, Woodside.

John Singer Sargent went to Madrid when he was 23 to study Velasquez first hand. He soon fell in love with everything Spanish, returning six more times, and visiting 26 Spanish cities. This show highlights his love of Flamenco, the Roma (gypsy) people, the Moorish castle of the Alhambra, and his murals for the Boston Public Library, which was inspired by the spirituality of the Spaniards.

When Sargent was 51 he announced that he was closing his famous portrait studio, and that he would spend the rest of his life doing oils and watercolors for his own pleasure. You will see over 60 stunning images of his drawings, watercolors, and oils from that period. Jim Caldwell, artist, architect, teacher and art historian, has given more than 100 talks about his favorite artists, Sargent being on the top of his list.

InMenlo file photo (c) 2014