Alfred, Son of Asher Wertheimer

Alfred, Son of Asher Wertheimer of 1901 is part of the extraordinary series of portraits Sargent made of the Wertheimer family — twelve portraits in all, now housed at Tate after being bequeathed by Asher Wertheimer. This series, made over a decade, constitutes the most sustained portrait project of Sargent's career and one of the most comprehensive family portrait commissions in British art history. Alfred was one of Asher Wertheimer's sons, and his portrait formed part of the patriarchal project of documenting the complete family for posterity. The series has attracted attention for its frank and sympathetic portrayal of a prominent Anglo-Jewish family.

The portrait of Alfred Wertheimer shows Sargent's characteristic directness with young male subjects — less flattery than in his female portraits, more attention to individual character and bearing. The handling is confident throughout, the face rendered with Sargent's most direct technique. The setting and accessories are treated with his usual assurance regarding light and material surface.