Do you think you may own a painting by Henry Sargent? We authenticate, appraise and research all paintings by this great artist.

Henry Sargent was an American portrait and genre painter, born in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Sargent worked in Boston and traveled all over New England painting portraits as well as religious and historical scenes.

He studied under Benjamin West in London and was skilled in painting textures as well as textiles and accessories. One of Sarents’ most famous paintings, “The Tea Party” is considered to be one of the very first “genre” paintings in early American history. This painting depicts a group of wealthy Bostonians socializing and having tea in an upper class home.

Other genre paintings in Sargents’ oeuvre include “The Dinner Party.” This painting is very similar to “The Tea Party” in its execution, composition and style. Sargent painted both of these genre scenes almost as if he were an outsider to the respective parties instead of a guest. Could there be other paintings in existence, unknown and otherwise unauthenticated in Sargents’ “Party” series?

Today Sargents’ work is housed all over New England in public and private collections, including in Faneuil Hall in Boston and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Still wondering about a genre painting or Boston portrait hanging in your family’s estate? Contact us…it could be by Henry Sargent.