This painting is one of many which sargent painting of Sally Fairchild. this one is so wonderfully mysterious with the vale over her face. John was on very good terms with her parents and felt no restraints about being creative. He had known the family at least since 1887 when John did his first flurry of American paintings in the United States. He painted her mother -- Mrs. Charles Fairchild  (Elizabeth Nelson Fairchild 1845-1924) in 1887 (n/a) which he later sent off to be exhibited it at the New English Art Club that year. Mrs. Fairchild was a poet and was often a hostess of parties for artist friends. It was probably through one of these social gatherings that John first met them.  It would be Mr. Charles Fairchild that would prompt the third portrait of Robert Louis Stevenson by commission as a gift for his wife.  

Her husband Mr. Fairchild (1838-1910) was a Boston banker and, according to Olson, would come to handled all of  Sargent's finances when he was in the States. It would be through Mr. Fairchild that John had painted his brother's portrait who had been the Governor of Wisconsin (Lucius Fairchild) and war hero -- the same year he painted Charles's wife (1887). 

When John brought his sister Violet  to the States (1889-1890) in the attempt to introduce her to more suitable American men (in their mother's eyes) it was as guests of  the Fairchilds were they stayed for a time and went yachting in the summer of '90. They also spent time with Saint-Gauden. The two artists had exchanges portraits -- he of John's sister, and John of Saint-Gauden's wife and child. It would be during this time that he did an immense number of portraits of friends and acquaintances. Dennis Miller Bunker off handily remarked in astonishment that Sargent must have "done a hundred portraits" during the summer of 1890 (Olson n. p168). 

It was during this summer that this painting of Sally Fairchild with Blue Veil was made and shows John uninhibited with hist frequent model for the season. 

 
Sally Fairchild profile sketch 
1890 

Note: 

Offered Christie's; 5/25/89; Lot 248; estimated $650,000-$850,000 

• See the year in review 1890

Sally Fairchild is one of my ancestors.  She was the grandaughter of Jairus C. Fairchild, first Mayor of Madison, Wisconsin and niece of my ancestor Governor Lucius Fairchild.  Her father was a friend of Sargent and he arranged for Sargent to do an oil of his brother the Governor of Wisconsin and diplomat Lucius Fairchild.  Her sister, the artist, Lucia Fairchild Fuller is buried in the family plot in Madison.  I have been trying to  trace her and was so glad you placed this portrait on the internet.  

 Do you know where the portrait is now?  

 Sincerely,  
 Sally Connelly  
 Cincinnati, OHIO  

From: Natasha 
Date: 10/10/2001 

This painting, of course is/or was at the Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, it was offered for sale through Christie's -- 5/25/89. If it sold I don't know where it is at. The other I don't know as well.  

From: Sally Connelly
<c_ sa  lly786@hotmail.com> 
Date: 10/10/2001 

Thanks for your note.  I recommend Blair Fuller's book, "Art in the Blood,"  he is a direct descendent of Lucia Fairchild Fuller.  I contacted the Terra  Museum but they said the portrait is no longer in their collection.  

Thanks for your note