John Derian Sargent Figure in a Hammock Paperweight

Gifts for art lovers.

This artful paperweight was crafted exclusively for The Met by New York City–based designer John Derian, who's celebrated for his unique decoupage decorations on hand-blown glass plates, trays, bowls, and more. Featured is a detail from John Singer Sargent's (American, 1856–1925) tranquil Figure in Hammock, Florida (1917). Sargent visited Florida in February 1917 to paint a portrait of John D. Rockefeller. After completing the painting, he continued south to the Miami area to visit his friend and patron Charles Deering. This watercolor may depict Deering at his residence on the Miami River.

We're delighted to present this item in celebration of Sargent and Paris. This Met exhibition explores the early career of the American painter John Singer Sargent, from his arrival in Paris in 1874 through the mid-1880s, when his infamous portrait Madame X was a scandalous success at the Paris Salon. Over the course of one extraordinary decade, Sargent achieved recognition by creating boldly ambitious portraits and figure paintings that pushed the boundaries of conventionality. Beyond the portrait studio, he traveled in search of inspiration for his art—finding subjects in Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and North Africa. This exhibition gathers Sargent's diverse works from this period to illuminate his path to becoming an artist, which was indelibly shaped by his experiences in the French capital. These visually stunning works provide a compelling view of the Paris art world of the late 19th century.

Read our blog post here to learn more about the items presented in celebration of Sargent and Paris.