Asher
Wertheimer (1844-1918) was a successful
art dealer who became wealthy specializing
in French art & objects. Being
a prominent 'Bond Street' personage,
the Wertheimers were at times subject
to the prevalent anti-Jewish feelings
of that era. Sargent seems to have
been untouched by the various ethnic
attitudes of his age, and counted
several other Jewish families among
his patrons and friends. His affinity
for the Wertheimers was such that
he painted the family and its members
some ten times, and joked of being
in a state of "chronic Wertheimerism."
Also see "Daughters of Asher & Mrs. Wertheimer" here
Further
info on this is in the Thomas Craven
essay
here.
This
picture is part of the collection
of the Tate Gallery
Tate
Gallery Website
here
