Madame X, the iconic portrait by John Singer Sargent, has returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art after a two-year absence and is featured in the exhibit "Sargent and Paris". This painting, which depicts Virginie Amélie Gautreau in a striking black dress, faced harsh criticism for its perceived indecency when it was first unveiled. The exhibit explores not only the artistic significance of the piece but also the scandal it created at the time, depicting how both artist and subject navigated societal expectations. Curatorial insights reveal Gautreauâs modern influencer status in Paris.
"People get upset when it's not on view," said Stephanie L. Herdrich, curator of American painting and drawing at the Met. "I've even seen people with [Madame X] tattooed on their bodies."
The new exhibit examines the scandal surrounding the piece, which Sargent painted when he was 28 after spending a decade in the City of Light.
"She was a professional beauty ... what we would call an influencer today," Herdrich said. "She wore glamorous, often low-cut dresses, dyed her hair, rouged her ears."
In its day, the painting wasn't nearly so highly regarded. It was branded 'immodest,' 'indecent' and 'vulgar' when it debuted.
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