John Singer Sargent's Portrait, Madame X
John Singer Sargent’s portrait, Madame X, is described by Mahon and Centeno (2005) as one of the most discussed and notorious paintings housed at the 1884 Paris Salon. The piece defied every rule of Victorian fashion and etiquette, eliciting intense criticism. Diliberto (2003) states Sargent believed the beautiful and infamous Madame Gautreau would be the key to his success as a renowned Parisian portrait painter. Both Gautreau and Sargent were expatriates to their beloved Paris, sharing a great desire to reach elite status. This commonality may be the reason Gautreau agreed to allow Sargent to paint her, as she had turned down many requests similar to his (Sidlauskus 2001). Both artist and subject believed the portrait would elevate them to
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The painting still receives much attention and is the base of discussion for many art lovers and historians (Mohan and Centeno, 2005). However, the very details that made the portrait so shocking nearly a century and a half ago are what now delight critics and casual viewers alike; the piece is truly remarkable in its contrasting hues and dramatic details. The lines are crisp and clean, the lighting is flattering yet dramatic, and the composition is pleasing to the eye. While these fundamental artistic components make a great contribution to the attractiveness of this painting, the subject herself deserves to be recognized as the most beautiful thing about the portrait. Gautreau’s physical beauty is often debated even today, mostly because her roman nose is considered too prominent to be classified as classically beautiful. The difference in opinion regarding Gautreau’s physical features is where most modern controversies end. It is the painting’s daring representation of Gautreau, rather, which is inarguably beautiful. The unorthodox pose, the revealing clothing, and the haughty expression were all revolutionary for the time they were presented. Sargent and Gautreau’s goal was not to challenge the societal norms of the time; in fact, their goal was the exact opposite. Inadvertently, however, the appreciation of Amelie Gautreau’s portrait one hundred and fifty years later is now a wonderful reminder of the power in breaking rules and refusing to fit into the definition of
The painting still receives much attention and is the base of discussion for many art lovers and historians (Mohan and Centeno, 2005). However, the very details that made the portrait so shocking nearly a century and a half ago are what now delight critics and casual viewers alike; the piece is truly remarkable in its contrasting hues and dramatic details. The lines are crisp and clean, the lighting is flattering yet dramatic, and the composition is pleasing to the eye. While these fundamental artistic components make a great contribution to the attractiveness of this painting, the subject herself deserves to be recognized as the most beautiful thing about the portrait. Gautreau’s physical beauty is often debated even today, mostly because her roman nose is considered too prominent to be classified as classically beautiful. The difference in opinion regarding Gautreau’s physical features is where most modern controversies end. It is the painting’s daring representation of Gautreau, rather, which is inarguably beautiful. The unorthodox pose, the revealing clothing, and the haughty expression were all revolutionary for the time they were presented. Sargent and Gautreau’s goal was not to challenge the societal norms of the time; in fact, their goal was the exact opposite. Inadvertently, however, the appreciation of Amelie Gautreau’s portrait one hundred and fifty years later is now a wonderful reminder of the power in breaking rules and refusing to fit into the definition of