John Singer Sargent, "Madame X"

 

  Today I bring you one of the most scandalous portraits of the late 19th century.  It seemed to be a time artists were challenging the French salon with daring paintings.  John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) created this oil in 1884 and it seems tame compared to Edward Manet's Olympia of 1863 where Manet dared to portray a "real" woman lying nude upon her bed (a classic female stereotype was the norm).  
   Here Sargent selected Madame Pierre Gautreau (Virginie Amelie Avegno Gautreau) as his subject, for he admired her great beauty.   But she was unable, or unwilling to sit for him, and by this time Sargent was an accepted portrait painter in Paris.  But, he did it anyway!  
  So, what is it about this image that created such a huge scandal when it was shown in the 1884 Salon exhibition?  The answer lies with three things:  first, the plunging neckline displaying way to much of her pearl white skin; second, her arrogantly cocked head, and lastly, in the salon show the right strap of her dress was intentionally painted falling off her shoulder.  A society woman brutally displayed in such a sexual, arrogant manner was beyond reason.  
   To quell the uproar, Sargent redid the strap, putting it in its rightful place, but it did little good.  French society, could no longer trust his talents, and Sargent moved on to London to continue his career.   
  The composition is quite simple, only the curve of the table provides a flow leading the eye to the figure and the sweep of her dress as her left hand tugs and pulls the garment.  The black dress, simple brown coloring of the remainder highlight that glorious neck, face and skin.  Only a small hair ornament catching the light marks her jewelry.  
No necklace, bracelets, rings to obstruct this most sensuous view. 
   We have no idea what Madame Gautreau thought of her portrait, but being a married woman, she probably had no option but a public rejection.  But Sargent always thought this was his finest portrait and he kept it prominently displayed in his studio until 1916 when he sold it to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, where it remains today.   It is a large oil on canvas, measuring almost 96 inches high, and almost 57 inches across.
  Make Art a part of your life, it's a beautiful thing to do.   

Comments

  1. Char HarguthOctober 2, 2020 at 9:18 AM

    This is really a stunning portrait, from her perfect porcelain skin to the rich fabric high lights. It is interesting that the right third of the painting is empty to balance the heavy left two-thirds. When I look at her face I see resentment or defiance. Including her (waspy) waist, she is an elegant woman, and he has mastered it. A notable contrast to many of his portraits. The limited palette adds to the strength of the painting. Lovely, lovely!!

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