Life Lessons From Art History
Today it would have been Virginie Avegno Gautreau’s birthday, better known as Madame X. She was the subject of one of John Singer Sargent’s most iconic paintings and a personal favorite.
“Madame X” by John Singer Sargent, 1844.
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Sargent had earned an esteemed reputation as a portrait artist by that time, one that was strongly influenced by his constant success in the Paris Art Salons and ample clientele. The painter was fascinated with Gautreau's defiant personality, exotic looks and elegance, and ability to attract attention as a cherished socialite. I don’t know why Sargent decided to take the biggest career risk.
He Asked Gautreau to pose for him. He spent days around her sketching her in different poses and then painted her in a standing pose, featuring her profile, svelte figure, and tiny waist in that provocative dress. It was, in fact, one of the simplest and most brilliant paintings he had done. But it was not what catapulted “Madame X” into the Hall of Fame of art history; it was a fallen strap.
Her naked shoulder, the fallen strap that seemed as if it had been carelessly forgotten, caused a revolution at the 1884 salon. People were on Sargent for a tiny strap. How daring! This man would draw male nudes with their full masculinity on display, painted fabrics so sensuous that it makes it almost impossible to keep your hands away from them, such as sensual women, gypsies, and actresses. But that bare shoulder caused him distress and made a scratch on his otherwise impeccable reputation. That was in Paris, the always modern Paris nevertheless.
Beaten up, Sargent decided to scratch the fallen strap and painted it on its original place in a move rivaling the Vatican's ordering to cover their paintings with fig leaves.
Current and original versions, as seen through X-ray studies.
John Singer Sargent was devastated by the bad reviews and left for London, where he produced an incredible body of freer and more beautiful work.
This is relevant, beyond its place between art history scandals, because we all experience setbacks as Sargent did at some point. Although probably painful for the painter at the time, this event sounds ridiculous with the advantage point of view presented by time. Gautreau had other minor portraits made of her by other artists that do not rival Sargent’s work in quality or beauty. His talent surpassed the stupid scandal, and it left us with a gorgeous life-size painting well worth an obligatory visit at The MET (thanks to Sargent, who sold it to the museum three decades later)
So if you feel all eyes are on you, learn from Sargent. It will pass! If you are being bullied, remember that bullies do not hold a place in history like courageous people. If you decide to amend mistakes, make sure it is because you believe in it and not because you are trying to please an audience. If you fill critics hold the key to your value and talent, remember the best will always attract bad comments and the nice ones. And if you feel like Madame X, then wear your straps in whatever way you like. Ban de fig leaves, ban de repaints, own your s...tuff!
Happy birthday, Madame X. Thanks for inspiring several generations of trailblazers. I hope I get to visit you again very soon!