John Singer Sargent (American) 1856-1925,Madame X,oil on canvas
Madame Pierre Gautreau (the Louisiana born Virginie Amelie Avegno;1859-1915) was born in Paris for her artful appearance.Sargent hoped to enhance his reputation by painting and exhibiting her portrait.Working without a commission but with his sitter's complicity,he emphasized her daring personal style,showing the right strap of her gown slipping from her shoulder.At the Salon of 1884,the portrait received more ridicule than praise.Sargent repainted the shoulder strap and kept the work for over thirty years.When eventually he sold it to the Metropolitan,he commented,"I suppose it is the best thing I've ever done,"but asked the museum disguise the sitter's name.
John Singer Sargent (American) 1856-1925,Madame X,oil on canvas
Madame Pierre Gautreau (the Louisiana born Virginie Amelie Avegno;1859-1915) was born in Paris for her artful appearance.Sargent hoped to enhance his reputation by painting and exhibiting her portrait.Working without a commission but with his sitter's complicity,he emphasized her daring personal style,showing the right strap of her gown slipping from her shoulder.At the Salon of 1884,the portrait received more ridicule than praise.Sargent repainted the shoulder strap and kept the work for over thirty years.When eventually he sold it to the Metropolitan,he commented,"I suppose it is the best thing I've ever done,"but asked the museum disguise the sitter's name.