1890 Continued . . . 

Wanting additional inspiration for classical subjects for his Boston Public Library murals, he takes an extended trip and travels with his mother and two sisters first to North Africa, Egypt, and the Middle East.
 

The studies of the men in turbans resemble but are not identical with the prophets who herald the Christian era in the pre-Christian section of the Boston Library murals (installed in 1895). 

According to the Sargent at Harvard site, John believed that his Middle Eastern subjects had changed little since the Biblical era, and probably rightfully so at that time. 
see footnote 1
 

January: he rents a studio in Cairo Egypt, paints the nude Egyptian Girl, and travels up the Nile to Luxor.

April: finds him in Greece and goes to Constantinople, Turkey.













When he returns to England he exhibits La Carmencita (1890) at the Royal Academy. And exhibits at the Society of American Artist -- portrait of Beatrice Goelete.

In the summer, the plot to keep Violet away from her lover Francis Ormond through trips aboard has failed and they are engaged to be married. 

July: John visits the Villa Ormond at San Remo, Italy. Violet, his baby sister, is married in Paris -- John attends. She would have been approximately 21 years old.

Back in London, he helps move his other sister, Emily, and his mother to 10 Carlise, Mansions, Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, for his mothers first "permanent" residence she's had in 35 years.

His friend Abbey sets up a studio at Morgan Hall Fairford, Gloucestershire, near Cambridge, with his wife and mother-in-law. It's a nice rural setting and away from the big city of London and the whimsical distractions of the Broadway group. In November Sargent joins him there and here they begin the library murals together. Prior to Sargent arriving, Abbey had written to Paris for art students that wanted to study under them. Two were chosen: James Finn and Wilfrid de Glehn.  de Glehn would become a life long friend of Sargent. 

Abbey writes to Boston on John's progress.

John will spend a portion of every year with Abbey at the studio until 1894, when the first section of the cycle, the north wall is finished. Angelo Colarossi and Nicola D'Inverno  both served as regular models.  D'Inverno would later become a  studio assistant and a valet to JSS in London and on his travels abroad.

Sargent is elected associate of the National Academy of Design, New York.