The White Blackbird: A Life of the Painter Margarett Sargent by Her Granddaughter

by Honor Moore

Provides a portrait of artist Margarett Sargent, an icon of avant-garde art during the 1920s, discussing her turbulent personal life

Genres: Art, Biography, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Honor Moore is the author of Our Revolution; The Bishop’s Daughter, a National Book Critics Circle Award finalist; The White Blackbird, a New York Times Notable Book; and three poetry collections. A professor at the New School, she lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a biography of a talented woman painter who rebelled against family and societal expectations and who struggled with alcohol and manic depression. I became interested in Margarett Sargent's story because the Museum of Fine Arts acquired one of her paintings this year.

She was a Zelda Fitzgerald sort of character, coming of age around World War I, rather regularly doing outrageous things for shock effect and her own amusement. Although she married and had four children, she carried on many affairs with both men and women. Her circle included a great many of the artistic and literary luminaries of the day, so this book might be of interest to anyone who likes reading about upper class and creative life pre-World War II in Boston and New York. Needless to say, it was different from life today. One of my favorite details was that Sargent's father gave her $1,000 (about $26,000 today) for her 19th birthday and she used it to buy a Mary Cassatt painting. She and her husband often spent months at a time in Europe, accompanied by a maid, plus a governess if the children came along.

Sargent had academic training and started out as a sculptor, working with Gutzon Borglum, best known as sculptor of Mount Rushmore. The painter George Luks encouraged her to work in oils and became her mentor. She enjoyed considerable commercial success, but abruptly stopped painting when she was 44. The biographer, her granddaughter, said the only reason she ever offered was that it was too intense.

Honor Moore had access to journals, family documents and interviews with many family members and friends who knew Sargent and, as a result, the book is filled with details. That's both good and bad--good for those who are intensely interested, but too much for those whose interest is more casual.

I found it to be an intriguing glimpse into Sargent's life and times.

[Janice Wilson Stridick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book -- did not want it to end! Thanks to Honor Moore for her dedication and fearlessness in unearthing the art and stories of her grandmother, the fascinating (if tragic) Margarett Sargent. The writer's dedication to describing the family landscape and relationships makes the going a bit tough at the beginning of the book, but once Margaret's life and persona take over, it's a wild and rewarding ride. As the daughter of an artist, I found Honor Moore's negotiation of the inevitable familial rivalries to be both honest and artful. Of course, the story also presents a case study of the inequity women faced (and still face) as creators of art in a world of commerce dominated by men and the values that maintain their position. I loved this character, Margarett Sargent, and thrilled that Honor Moore was able to connect with her on her deathbed, a connection that had been hampered by Moore's mother's resentment of her mother's ambition. I am familiar with these complex resentments, having worked my way back from rebellion to friendship to advocacy of my own artist-mother.

[Judi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book to read because I want to learn more about the women who influenced America whether it be in politics, science, or art. Margarett Sargent was born a rebel and stayed true to herself to the end. She was a difficult, awkward child who grew into being a beauty and learned how to leverage that beauty into independence - even in the dawn of the 20th Century.

The story, told by her granddaughter, often reads like a novel - could one woman really do all that? But, apparently, Sargent did. With money, beauty, and talent Margarett could make connections, explore different forms of art and ultimately pave her own way through the avant-garde. She was a far-from=perfect wife, mother, and friend though. Ultimately her priority was her art and she paid a price for that laser focus.

The audiobook is read by Stockard Channing and I think she's the perfect voice for the brash, self-assured Sargent.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this. And I did enjoy reading about the subject's connection to modernist art, and the NY and Boston arts scenes in the early 20thc. I would have liked a bit more historical context--at some point the rarified world of those who can boat themselves off to the continent whenever they're unhappy, or binge across the NY streets with nary a scrape becomes annoying. The author is clear on her grandmother's privilege, but the narrow focus makes the book feel like gossip about Bostonians. interesting on grandmother's affairs with men and women, but more historical context here too...or focus on class potentials. Only so many affairs with blue blooded harvardites before you want to scream.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was interested in this book for two reasons: my last name is Sargent and I live on a street developed on the Prides property. Learning local history about the people and places where I’ve lived and visited is fascinating to me.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Margarett Sargent lived a most interesting life. Her life as an artist was most informative. At time it seemed to be a LOT of name dropping. That grew tiresome.

[Rena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has a lot of historical detail, not written with a lively narrative voice. So it may not be for everyone.

[Cheryl Sinclair · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wild, sad and interesting life.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I've ever read on a Woman Painter. As you read Margarett Singer Sargent's story you not only learn about American art history but you learn about Art history through the ages. I didn't want to put this book down and I read within a week. This woman has not been acknowledged through the canons of American Art History. If it hadn't been for her granddaughter finding her artwork and diaries in the closets she would have gone unnoticed. I cannot wait to study her more and is now my favorite American artist of the century. Thank you Honor for such a captivating and honest storytelling!

[Janellyn51 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked reading about Margarett Sargent. She lived hereabouts, and I always enjoy reading about people who walked the same streets I've walked. I like reading about headstrong women who do what they want to do especially when it goes against the flow. I'm an artist of sorts myself...I think Margarett Sargent's art is delightful

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A touching portrait of the author's grandmother, who was at one time a very well known artist, but struggled (and ultimately failed) to continue to make art while living in conventional, upper-class society.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty interesting look of a female painter in the 30's who struggled with alcoholism and manic depression. unlike other writers, she came from a well-to-do family, which makes the story a little unusual.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this in a used bookstore and bought it impulsively.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story of one Boston society family in the 1800-1900-2000's. Which includes family connections, familiar Boston locations and historical insight about culture, society and the art world.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent biography and a telling portrait of women's plight in the early part of the last century

[Doris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tedious, did not finish