Madame X (Madame Pierre Gautreau), John Singer Sargent
American artist John Singer Sargent painted this portrait of Madame Pierre Gautreau in Paris in 1884. Madame Pierre Gautreau (the Louisiana-born Virginie Amélie Avegno; 1859–1915) was known in Paris for her artful appearance. Sargent hoped to enhance his reputation by painting and exhibiting her portrait. Working without a commission but with his sitter’s complicity, he emphasized her daring personal style, showing the right strap of her gown slipping from her shoulder.
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