We recently welcomed back John Singer Sargent’s ‘Figure of Apollo from The Forge of Vulcan’ (Apollo - 1879) and Las Hilanderas (The Spinners - 1879) from their loan to the National Gallery of Art in Washington.

The two artworks, an important part of the Beit Collection at Russborough, were highlights in the gallery's exhibition 'Sargent and Spain'. Both paintings are copies of particular features from paintings by Valazquez at the Prado in Madrid. Sargent visited Spain seven times, Russborough's paintings are from his first visit in 1879 when he was studying the works of Spanish masters in order to develop his own craft as a young painter. He would go on to be the most celebrated portrait painter of his generation.

The exhibitions, which toured both the National Gallery of Art in Washington and the Fine Art Museum in San Francisco, presented works from all seven visits and were accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue. It featured 120 oils, watercolours, and drawings, many of which from private collections and rarely seen.