Portrait of Madame X
John Singer Sargent
1884
the Madame X in question is actually Madame Gatreau, a lady with a high social standing and of considerable beauty.
when this portrait was first displayed in 1884, it immediately caused an uproar in the French society. the painting was termed as "salacious" and "scandalous" due to the sexual suggestiveness of the lady's pose. in fact, the Parisians termed it as a "monstrous painting".
however, at present, art academics comment that Portrait of Madame X is actually a spectacular painting that captures the essence of Mme Gautreau very strongly – her assertiveness, boldness of her beauty and manner, a “real woman”.
(an interesting nugget of information: the original painting actually had one of the dress straps off the shoulder! it was later adjusted after Sargent brought it back to his studio.)
---
the above point is often used to argue for the position that objective knowledge of beauty is not possible. from the example, it seems as if "beauty" is largely dependent on the culture and maturity of the society.
---
there is another distinction that supports the same point above:
- Madame X was a notorious beauty in Paris, and people travelled to attend social functions just to catch a glimpse of her.
- But when the painting was finally done, Parisians called the portrait a "monstrous painting".
beauty in real life or beauty in art? of course, one might argue that the Parisians were just commenting at the painting, and not the subject. however, one must know that Sargent was an accomplished artist who received favourable reviews by the critics for 7 years before this fateful painting.
---
another point:
is there a difference between knowing that a person is a certain way, and immortalising it in a 7-foot tall painting?
in this case, it was a poorly-hidden fact that Madame Gatreau was a "sexy" (in modern day speak) woman, and she had never received flak for acting in this way. but why, when this essence of her was immortalised in a painting, the Parisians were unable to accept the painting as it was?
sources:
\ \ / / bam.
