This book explores John Singer Sargent's (1856 - 1925) development as one of the most brilliant portrait painters of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, and specifically focuses on one of his most beautiful female portraits, Lady Agnew of Lochnaw, now in the National Gallery of Scotland. Due to the enthusiastic reception of this particular work. Sargent was assured a large clientele of wealthy, society women, including Mrs George Swinton (Art Institute of Chicago) and Mrs Charles Thursby (The Newark Museum, New Jersey).Beyond this, it examines the social, political and economic aspects of the time in which Sargent and Lady Agnew lived. Included in the book are essays by three leading scholars in the fields of fine art, history, and music. The book is fully illustrated with 40 color plates. Accompanies the only UK showing of this exhibition at the National Gallery of Scotland and includes works from major private and public collections throughout the world.