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Léon Delafosse

John Singer Sargent American

1895

Not on view

Admired by poet Robert de Montesquiou and author Marcel Proust, Léon Delafosse (1874–1955) was a brilliant French pianist, a sensitive interpreter of Frédéric Chopin and Gabriel Fauré, and a composer. Sargent promoted his career by engaging him to play at concerts at his London studio and encouraging his friends to do the same. Sargent sent this painting to an exhibition in Boston in 1899 in advance of Delafosse’s arrival there. He also sent a letter of introduction to Isabella Stewart Gardner, writing, "I am sure you will have the greatest pleasure in his wonderful talent, both as a composer and a virtuoso."
Delafosse’s handsome face emerges from the dark background and is set off by his elaborate necktie. His long elegant fingers—spread apart as if prepared to extend across a piano keyboard—suggest his proficiency.

Léon Delafosse, John Singer Sargent (American, Florence 1856–1925 London), Oil on canvas, American — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Léon Delafosse

Artist: John Singer Sargent (American, Florence 1856–1925 London)

Date: 1895

Culture: American

Medium: Oil on canvas

Dimensions: 39 3/4 × 23 7/16 in. (101 × 59.5 cm)

Credit Line: Lent by the Seattle Art Museum, given in honor of Trevor Fairbrother by Mr. and Mrs. Prentice Bloedel by exchange, and by Robert M. Arnold, Tom and Ann Barwick, Frank Bayley, Jeffrey and Susan Brotman, Contemporary Art Council, Council of American Art, Jane and David R. Davis, Decorative Arts and Paintings Council, Robert B. Dootson, Mr. and Mrs. Barney Ebsworth, P. Raaze Garrison, Lyn and Gerald Grinstein, Helen and Max Gurvich, Marshall Hatch, John and Ann Hauberg, Richard and Betty Hedreen, Marty Ann and Henry James, Mrs. Janet W. Ketcham, Allan and Mary Kollar, Greg Kucera and Larry Yocom, Rufus and Pat Lumry, Byron R. Meyer, Ruth J. Nutt, Scotty Ray, Gladys and Sam Rubinstein, Mr. and Mrs. Allen Vance Salsbury, Herman and Faye Sarkowsky, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Scheumann, Seattle Art Museum Supporters, Jon and Mary Shirley, Joan and Harry Stonecipher, Dean and Mary Thornton, William and Ruth True, Volunteers Association, Ms. Susan Winokur and Mr. Paul Leach, The Virginia Wright Fund, Charlie and Barbara Wright, Howard Wright and Kate Janeway, Merrill Wright, and Mrs. T. Evans Wyckoff