At the turn of the century, Charles Emile Carolus-Duran was well known in Paris, as a great artist and colorful public figure at the cutting-edge of culture and fashion. The painter was awarded many honors and recognitions during his lifetime, including that of Commander of the Legion of Honour in France, founding member of the National Society of French Art, and member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts. He also taught many of the most brilliant artists of the next generation, including John Singer Sargent.

According to one of Carolus-Duran’s students, the essence of his painting method was to “see first of all for absolute truth of tone and colour, and getting this truth in the simplest and most obvious way.” He emphasized the importance of working directly with oils (avoiding preliminary drawings) and using a wide brush with thick paint in order to catch the vitality and immediacy of the moment. After his studies in Paris, nearly all of John Singer Sargent’s body of work reveals the strong influence of Carolus-Duran.

Early in his career, Sargent was a fan of landscapes, but Carolus-Duran influenced him to take on portraiture, and Sargent went on to become one of the leading portrait painters of his generation. One of Sargent’s earliest portraits was of Carolus-Duran, serving as a tribute to his teacher and an advertisement for future portrait commissions.

Haynes Galleries of Thomaston is proud to feature works by both Sargent and Carolus-Duran in its exhibit, “The Portrait in American Realism,” running until July 27 at 91 Main Street. This traveling exhibition- previously on view at Haynes Galleries’ Nashville location- features drawings, paintings, sculptures, and photographs from 19^th, 20^th, and 21^st century American Realists.

While this exhibit highlights significant painters from American art history, it also showcases the talent of a new generation of artists- several of whom have ties to Maine and New England. “The Portrait in American Realism” is a celebration of faces, an ode to the human form, a triumph of expression. It is not to be missed.

For more information, call 207-354-0605 or 615-430-08147 visit www.haynesgalleries.com.

Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment. 91 Main Street. Thomaston, Maine 04861