This has little to do with my essay due tomorrow....
Frequently the prices he asked showed that he had no idea of the commercial value of these sketches. Dealers ahve been known, after getting the pictures home, to proffer a further sum in acquittal of what had all the appearance of an unconscionable bargain. indeed, the whole process of bargain and sale was conduced on such original and topsy-turvy principles that amateurs had to employ artifice in order to force the price up to a fair level. On one occasion a friend of his, afraid that on a straight deal the artist would either make a present of the picture or charge a nominal amount, professed to be acting for a South African millionaire. A picture was chosen, but Sargent objected that he did not want it to go out of the country. It was pointed out that the millionaire had a house in London for which the picture was wanted. On that understanding the deal was concluded, but on terms which remained most inadequate for the seller. When Sargent had ascertained the true facts he wrote:
"My Dear ---,
Your methods give me the cold shivers, and I am filled with awe when I remember the candid face you showed when I asked you if there was any nonsense about your enquiry. If there was a sun today it would go down on my perplexity and indecision if not on my wrath. I shall have to conslute a clairvoyante or the bowels of a bird as to what action I must take.
Yours as a rule,
John S. Sargent."
He was more amused than incensed. Enough has been said to show that he was the least mercenary of men. He belonged neither to those whose generosity is beyond their means nor to that larger class whose means are beyond their generosity. He gave where assistance was wanted. His disregard of money was part of the largeness of his character and outlook. It may be doubted if in later years he had the least idea what he was worth. Towards the end of his life an occasion arose when it became necessary to tell him the amount which he had standing to his credit in the United States. He could only say: "It can't be mine, they've made a mistake at the Bank, it must belong to someone else." As long as he had sufficient means wherewith to pursue his art in his own way and, above all, to assist others, he was entirely indifferent to money. He made no enquiries and left others the conduct of his affairs.
Charteris, Evan. _John Sargent_. (New York: Scribner) 1927. 179-80
"My Dear ---,
Your methods give me the cold shivers, and I am filled with awe when I remember the candid face you showed when I asked you if there was any nonsense about your enquiry. If there was a sun today it would go down on my perplexity and indecision if not on my wrath. I shall have to conslute a clairvoyante or the bowels of a bird as to what action I must take.
Yours as a rule,
John S. Sargent."
He was more amused than incensed. Enough has been said to show that he was the least mercenary of men. He belonged neither to those whose generosity is beyond their means nor to that larger class whose means are beyond their generosity. He gave where assistance was wanted. His disregard of money was part of the largeness of his character and outlook. It may be doubted if in later years he had the least idea what he was worth. Towards the end of his life an occasion arose when it became necessary to tell him the amount which he had standing to his credit in the United States. He could only say: "It can't be mine, they've made a mistake at the Bank, it must belong to someone else." As long as he had sufficient means wherewith to pursue his art in his own way and, above all, to assist others, he was entirely indifferent to money. He made no enquiries and left others the conduct of his affairs.
Charteris, Evan. _John Sargent_. (New York: Scribner) 1927. 179-80