Contemporary New York City-based artist Mark Beard has long demonstrated command in a variety of mediums — he works in oil paint, bronze, ceramics and more. Beard is known mainly for his portraits and figurative paintings, but he is prolific in figurative drawing and nude photography as well.
Beard was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1986, he began working as a set designer, and for the next decade, he created more than 20 sets in New York City, London, Frankfurt, Vienna and Cologne. As a painter and printmaker, Beard didn’t wish to confine himself to a rigid style and instead sought to explore Impressionism, Art Nouveau and other movements in a range of mediums. In order to freely move from one style to the next, Beard created several different personas, assigning a specific biography to each one.
Beard's most prominent artistic alter ego is Bruce Sargeant, whom the artist has positioned in exhibitions as an early 20th-century painter. Beard's work as Sargeant is a detailed study of the male physique. The paintings often feature sculpted athletic men engaged in physical activities like wrestling and rowing. The work is steeped in homoeroticism, and the artist’s name itself is a reference to painter John Singer Sargent — while he’s best known for his Edwardian-era portraits, John Singer Sargent also created murals and drawings of male nudes that were similarly reflective of a homoerotic sensibility.
Beard is also an accomplished landscape painter. His great-grandfather, George Beard, was a regional painter and photographer of the Rocky Mountains. Mark spent summers at his grandfather's 19th-century log cabin retreat as a child. These formative experiences are reflected in his own stunning landscape paintings.
Beard's artwork is held in many high-profile museum collections, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Today, Beard resides in the Manhattan loft that he purchased in 1994 with his partner, James Manfred. It serves as both his home and his studio. The space is filled with his oil paintings, drawings and sculptures.
On 1stDibs, find Mark Beard paintings, drawings, photography and more.
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Sailors](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-two-sailors-for-sale/a_9323/1738353689807/Beard_Two_Sailors_1920_master.jpg?width=240)
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Sailors](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-two-sailors-for-sale-picture-2/a_9323/a_157415921738353744154/Beard_Two_Sailors_Verso_master.jpg?width=240)
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Sailors
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Sailors n.d. Signed in red, u.r. Double-sided painting on panel 30 x 24 inches
Oil
Hercules Mourning the Death of his Cupbearer Hylas
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
[Hippolyte-Alexandre Michallon (1849-1930)] Oil on canvas Signed in red, l.l. 48 x 60 inches, canvas size 54 x 66 inches in gold leaf frame 61 x 74 x 6 inches, framed This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. “By his own account, the most ambitious work of Michallon’s career was a thirty-foot canvas depicting Noah’s Ark, which he exhibited in the Salon of 1875, where it went unmentioned by the critics. Preparatory work for this elaborate composition took him frequently to the Jardin des Plantes, where he made painstaking drawings and oil sketches of the animals on view. These studies were enthusiastically remarked upon by visitors to his studio, some of whom counseled him to give up history painting altogether and pursue the less dignified but presumably more lucrative career of animal painter. Following this advice, and profiting from the tremendous vogue in 1880s Europe for all things African...
Canvas, Oil
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Three Bathers by the Water](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-three-bathers-by-the-water-for-sale/a_9323/1658516123793/Beard_Three_Bathers_1200_master.jpg?width=240)
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Three Bathers by the Water
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Three Bathers by the Water Signed in red, recto Oil on canvas 96.25 x 67 inches (244.5 x 170.2 cm) $15,000 + $900 framing This work is offered by Cla...
Canvas, Masonite, Oil
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Valton and His Wrestler](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-valton-and-his-wrestler-for-sale/a_9323/1738348176269/Beard_Valton_and_His_Wrestler_1920_master.jpg?width=240)
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Valton and His Wrestler](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-valton-and-his-wrestler-for-sale-picture-2/a_9323/a_157407521738348410166/Beard_Valton_and_His_Wrestler_Verso_master.jpg?width=240)
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Valton and His Wrestler
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
n.d. Signed in red, u.l. Double-sided oil painting on panel 30 x 24 inches
Oil
$8,750
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938) In the Locker Room, Contemporary Figurative Painting
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938) In the Locker Room, Contemporary Queer Figurative Painting n.d. Signed in red, u.l. Oil on canvas 60 x 36 inches $8,000 + $750 framing This work is ...
Canvas, Oil
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Man in Towel Looking to the Side](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-man-in-towel-looking-to-the-side-for-sale/a_9323/1658518561432/Beard_Man_Looking_Sideways_Holding_Towel_1200_master.jpg?width=240)
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Man in Towel Looking to the Side](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-man-in-towel-looking-to-the-side-for-sale-picture-2/a_9323/a_105842621658518622476/Beard_Man_Looking_Sideways_Holding_Towel_Framed_1200_master.jpg?width=240)
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Man in Towel Looking to the Side
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Man in Towel Looking to the Side n.d. Signed in red, u.l. Oil on canvas 14 x 11 inches (35.6 x 27.9 cm) $3,000 + $125...
Canvas, Oil
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Men Kissing Contemporary Painting by Mark Beard](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-two-men-kissing-for-sale/a_9323/1665678243073/Beard_Two_Men_Kissing_1200_master.jpg?width=240)
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Men Kissing Contemporary Painting by Mark Beard](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-two-men-kissing-for-sale-picture-2/a_9323/a_110292221665678268890/Beard_Two_Men_Kissing_Framed_1200_master.jpg?width=240)
$3,700
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Men Kissing Contemporary Painting by Mark Beard
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Men Kissing Contemporary Painting by Mark Beard n.d. Signed in red, u.r. Oil on canvas 24 x 20 inches $3,600 + $1...
Canvas, Oil
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Men on Beach, Painting by Mark Beard](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-two-men-on-beach-for-sale/a_9323/1665678483289/Beard_Two_Men_on_Beach_1200_master.jpg?width=240)
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Men on Beach, Painting by Mark Beard](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-two-men-on-beach-for-sale-picture-2/a_9323/a_110292321665678624078/Beard_Two_Men_on_Beach_Framed_1200_master.jpg?width=240)
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Men on Beach, Painting by Mark Beard
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Men on Beach is a painting by the artist Mark Beard which depicts two men in speedos standing on a beach. n.d. Signed i...
Canvas, Oil
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Exercising En Plein Air](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-exercising-en-plein-air-for-sale/a_9323/a_35855721542990254245/20_Exercising_En_Plein_Air_980_master.jpg?width=240)
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Exercising En Plein Air
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
Oil on canvas Signed in red, u.r. $3250.00 + $200.00 framing This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. “Bruce Sargeant is a mythic figure in the modern art mo...
Canvas, Oil
$645Sale Price|25% Off
H 13 in W 10 in
"Untitled" (2014) - Oil Painting of Nude Reclining Female Figure
By Rebecca Venn
Located in Denver, CO
Rebecca Venn's (US based) "Untitled" is an original, handmade oil painting on canvas paper that depicts a nude female model laying on her back. This pai...
Oil
$2,100
H 18 in W 18 in
"Oracle" (2024) By Allen Williams, Original Oil Nude Portrait Painting
Located in Denver, CO
"Oracle" (2024) by Allen Williams is an original oil painting on a sealed illustration board that depicts an eerie portrait of a nude female figure. Thi...
Oil, Board
$1,650Sale Price|25% Off
H 31.5 in W 39.38 in
Blue woman, 80x100cm, acrylic, oil, canvas
By Tatiana Levchenko
Located in Yerevan, AM
Blue woman, 2022, 80x100 cm
Canvas, Oil
$1,800
H 9 in W 12 in
"Levi Jackson" (2015) By John Tarantola, Nude Portrait Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
John Tarantola's original nude portrait "Levi Jackson" (2015) is a realist oil on panel painting that depicts a nude male lying on a bed, looking up seductively at the viewer's point...
Oil, Panel
"Reclining Nude", Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Please note: This is a secondary market artwork with one previous owner. Kang Cho's artistic legacy endures through "Reclining Nude," a serene and contemplative handmade original o...
Oil, Panel
$1,200
H 12 in W 10 in
"Looking Away" by Mark Bradley Schwartz, Oil Painting, Female Nude Portrait
By Mark Bradley Schwartz
Located in Denver, CO
Mark Bradley Schwartz’s "Looking Away" (2020) is a masterful example of contemporary figurative realism, executed in oil on board. This original, handmade painting captures a quiet, ...
Oil, Board
Man 1, 120x55cm, oil on canvas
By Tatiana Levchenko
Located in Yerevan, AM
Man 1, 2021, 120x55 cm
Canvas, Oil
$1,600
H 8 in W 10 in
"Whispering Hope" (2018) By John Tarantola, Nude Oil Portrait Painting
Located in Denver, CO
John Tarantola's original nude portrait "Whispering Hope" (2018) is a beautiful realist painting that is an oil on panel. The piece depicts an athletic nude male figure lying on a be...
Oil, Panel
"Exhale" by Brian O'Neill, Oil painting, Male Nude
Located in Denver, CO
Brian O'Neill's (US based) "Exhale" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a nude male figure stooped over and keeling on the ground, with his back exposed and bowing his...
Silver, Gold Leaf
$5,767
H 31.5 in W 35.44 in D 0.79 in
Summer - Contemporary Expressive, Figurative Oil Painting, Male Nude Series
By Bartosz Kolata
Located in Salzburg, AT
Bartosz Kolata was born in Torun, Poland in 1979. In 2006 he graduated in Art Conservation and Restoration from Nicolas Copernicus University UMK, securing a Master of Art degree. He...
Canvas, Oil
"Between Worlds", Oil Painting of Nude Female Figure
By Matt Talbert
Located in Denver, CO
Matt Talbert ( US based) "Between Worlds" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a nude female brunette model with gestural marks around her form. The artists signature impasto marks are evident throughout the painting. This painting is framed in a black float frame and ready to hang. Artist bio/statement: Matt Talbert is a contemporary oil painter living in Southern California. Both a graduate from the Orange County School of the Arts and the Laguna College of Art and Design, he is now named one of the "Top 100 Figurative Artist Working Now" by Poets Artists Magazine. Matt's primary focus is expressive paintings of the human figure exhibited in galleries such as Arcadia Contemporary...
Oil, Panel
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 21 in W 14 in
"Stillness" - Oil Painting of Nude Female Figure by Matt Talbert
By Matt Talbert
Located in Denver, CO
Matt Talbert's "Stillness" (2024) is an oil painting on linen, measuring 21 x 14 inches (53.34 x 35.56 cm). The unframed artwork features a nude female figure seated beside a window,...
Oil, Panel
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] One Man Behind Another](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-one-man-behind-another-for-sale/a_9323/1707937496796/Beard_One_Man_Behind_Another_master.jpg?width=240)
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] One Man Behind Another](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-one-man-behind-another-for-sale-picture-2/a_9323/a_139678621707937573850/Beard_One_Man_Behind_Another_Angle_master.jpg?width=240)
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] One Man Behind Another
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] One Man Behind Another n.d. Signed in red, u.l. Oil on canvas 24 x 12 inches (61 x 30.5 cm)
Canvas, Oil
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Men Undressing on Bench](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-two-men-undressing-on-bench-for-sale/a_9323/1682439188677/Beard_Two_Men_Undressing_on_Bench_master.jpg?width=240)
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Men Undressing on Bench](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-two-men-undressing-on-bench-for-sale-picture-2/a_9323/a_121723321682439297288/Beard_Two_Men_Undressing_on_Bench_Framed_master.jpg?width=240)
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Men Undressing on Bench
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Men Undressing on Bench n.d. Signed, u.r. Oil on canvas 20 x 16 inches (50.8 x 40.6 cm) $3,250 + $125 framing This work is offered by CLAMP in N...
Canvas, Oil
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Men in Leather Jackets and Jockstraps](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-two-men-in-leather-jackets-and-jockstraps-for-sale/a_9323/1682438192085/Beard_Two_Men_in_Leather_Jackets_and_Jocks_master.jpg?width=240)
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Men in Leather Jackets and Jockstraps](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-two-men-in-leather-jackets-and-jockstraps-for-sale-picture-2/a_9323/a_121722321682438228483/Beard_Two_Men_in_Leather_Jackets_and_Jocks_Framed_master.jpg?width=240)
Sold
H 24 in W 12 in
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Men in Leather Jackets and Jockstraps
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Men in Leather Jackets and Jockstraps n.d. Signed, u.r. Oil on canvas 24 x 12 inches (61 x 30.5 cm) $3,250 + $125 framing This work is offered b...
Canvas, Oil
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Man in Leather Jacket and Jockstrap](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-man-in-leather-jacket-and-jockstrap-for-sale/a_9323/1682437652176/Beard_Man_in_Leather_Jacket_and_Jock_master.jpg?width=240)
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Man in Leather Jacket and Jockstrap](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-man-in-leather-jacket-and-jockstrap-for-sale-picture-2/a_9323/a_121722021682437785922/Beard_Man_in_Leather_Jacket_and_Jock_Framed_master.jpg?width=240)
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Man in Leather Jacket and Jockstrap
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Man in Leather Jacket and Jockstrap n.d. Signed, u.r. Oil on canvas 24 x 12 inches (61 x 30.5 cm) $3,250 + $125 framing This work is offered by CLAM...
Canvas, Oil
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Nude Fencer in Powdered Peruke with Épée](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-nude-fencer-in-powdered-peruke-with-epee-for-sale/a_9323/a_117392621676132997360/Beard_Sargeant_Nude_Fencer_in_Powdered_Peruke_with_p_e_24x12_master.jpg?width=240)
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Nude Fencer in Powdered Peruke with Épée
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
Signed in red, u.l. Oil on canvas 24 x 12 inches This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. Mark Beard, born in 1956 in Salt Lake City, now lives in New ...
Oil
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Mysterious Ceremony](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-mysterious-ceremony-for-sale/a_9323/1665680458506/Beard_Men_with_Knives_1200_master.jpg?width=240)
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Mysterious Ceremony](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-mysterious-ceremony-for-sale-picture-2/a_9323/a_110294021665680538016/Beard_Men_with_Knives_Framed_master.jpg?width=240)
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Mysterious Ceremony
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Mysterious Ceremony n.d. Signed in red, u.r. Oil on canvas 20 x 16 inches $3,250 + $125 framing This work is offered b...
Canvas, Oil
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Boys on Bench](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-two-boys-on-bench-for-sale/a_9323/1665679640055/Beard_Two_Boys_on_Bench_1200_master.jpg?width=240)
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Boys on Bench](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-two-boys-on-bench-for-sale-picture-2/a_9323/a_110293621665679740498/Beard_Two_Boys_on_Bench_1200_Crop_master.jpg?width=240)
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Boys on Bench
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Boys on Bench n.d. Signed in red, u.l. Oil on canvas 36 x 24 inches $4,250 + $250 framing This work is offered by CLAMP in New York City.
Canvas, Oil
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Men with Horse](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-two-men-with-horse-for-sale/a_9323/1665679354077/Beard_Two_Men_with_Horse_1200_master.jpg?width=240)
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Men with Horse](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-two-men-with-horse-for-sale-picture-2/a_9323/a_110293221665679387905/Beard_Two_Men_with_Horse_Framed_1200_master.jpg?width=240)
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Men with Horse
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Men with Horse n.d. Signed in red, u.r. Oil on canvas 20 x 24 inches $3,600 + $150 framing This work is offered by CLAMP in New York City.
Canvas, Oil
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Three Men Bathing](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-three-men-bathing-for-sale/a_9323/1658516583975/Beard_Three_Men_Bathing_master.jpg?width=240)
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Three Men Bathing
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Three Men Bathing Signed in red, l.l. Oil on canvas 38 x 96.25 inches (96.5 x 244.5 cm) $11,000 + $850 framing This work i...
Canvas, Masonite, Oil
Sold
H 30 in W 18 in D 1.5 in
Drying Off (Figurative Nude Painting by Mark Beard as Bruce Sargeant)
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Academic style figurative paintings of a nude male model with a white towel on a grey background Painted by Mark Beard as Bruce Sargeant (pseudonym in homage to the fashion photogra...
Canvas, Oil
Sold
H 26 in W 22 in D 1.5 in
Justin with Towel (Figurative Nude Painting by Mark Beard as Bruce Sargeant)
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Academic style figurative paintings of a nude male model with a white towel on a grey background Painted by Mark Beard as Bruce Sargeant (pseudonym in homage to the fashion photogra...
Canvas, Oil
Sold
H 26 in W 22 in D 1.5 in
Charlie in Suspenders (Figurative Painting & Nude Study by Mark Beard)
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Academic style figurative oil painting of a muscular male model by Mark Beard as Bruce Sargeant "Study of Charlie in Suspenders" painted by Mark Beard as B...
Canvas, Oil