So I was very pleased when a copy of Deborah Davis’ book Strapless: John Singer Sargent and the Fall of Madame X (2004) fell into my lap. The painting has always had a special place in my heart for, if nothing else, the drama associated with its debut. Pursuing my art history minor in New York City I had the amazing opportunity to see “Madame X” in person at the Metropolitan Museum. Indeed, facing numerous charges of the painting’s indecency, Sargent eventually repainted the strap sitting firmly, and properly, on Madame’s shoulder. When the painting debuted at the 1884 Salon in Paris ( the place to have a painting displayed at the time and a good signifier of current or future artistic success) it created an uproar, so scandalous was the pose. Most people know John Singer Sargent’s infamous painting “ Madame X” even if they don’t know the name and have never heard of the artist because this painting has quite the sensational story attached to it.Īccording to surrounding lore, Sargent initially painted “Madame X” with the right strap of her black gown slipping off of her shoulder. I read this book in August 2008 and have been meaning to review it ever since.
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