Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age. - Simple, elegant design - Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface - Handmade by specialist picture framers - FSC certified off-white mat / window mount - Delivered ready for hanging

Visual Composition:

"Madame X," also known as "Madame Pierre Gautreau," is a striking and sophisticated portrait by John Singer Sargent. The subject, Madame Virginie Gautreau, is captured in a three-quarter length pose, standing with a delicate yet confident air. She is adorned in an elegant black gown that clings to her figure, with thin, jeweled straps adding a touch of sparkling grace to the ensemble. The dress is notable for its plunging neckline, which contrasts sharply with the sitter's pale, alabaster skin.

Madame X's skin is rendered in a porcelain-like manner, emphasizing her high societal status and adding to the ethereal quality of the painting. Her auburn hair, styled in a contemporary updo, is meticulously coiffed, with a deep-black, unfathomable background further accentuating it. Her face, with its refined features, is almost mask-like, suggesting both aristocracy and aloofness.

One long, pristine arm rests gracefully on a polished mahogany table, while her other hand holds a black fan. This slight turn of her body and the positioning of her arms draw attention to her elegantly long neck and the magnificent gown, highlighting Sargent's prowess in portraying textiles and human form.

Lighting and Technique:

Sargent uses light and shadow masterfully to focus the viewer's attention on the luminescence of Madame Gautreau’s skin and the texture of her gown. The subdued palette of the background ensures that nothing detracts from the figure's magnificence. The contrasts are sharp, illuminating the sheen of the satin dress and the subtle highlights along her skin, suggesting a dramatic but highly controlled use of chiaroscuro.

Background and Setting:

The background is almost abstract, a deep duskiness that only serves to pull Madame Gautreau into sharper relief. This minimalist setting ensures that all focus remains on her, emphasizing her isolation and the spectacle of her appearance.

John Singer Sargent (1856–1925) was an American expatriate artist known for his portraits, which often captured the elite of his time with psychological acuteness and painterly virtuosity. Born in Florence, Italy, to American parents, Sargent trained in Paris but spent significant periods in London and the United States. He is often associated with late Realism and a virtuoso portrait style that is both cosmopolitan and evocative.

"Madame X" represents a pivotal moment in Sargent's career. Painted between 1883 and 1884, it was exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1884. Initially, the portrait garnered critical scandal and public outrage, largely due to its provocative depiction of Madame Gautreau's décolletage and the perceived audaciousness of her pose. Originally exhibiting one strap of her dress slipping off her shoulder, Sargent later repainted it to sit properly in response to the ensuing scandal.

While initially controversial, the painting has since been recognized as a masterpiece of portraiture and a pinnacle of Sargent's skill. It showcases his technical brilliance and his ability to convey both physical beauty and the nuanced personality of the sitter.

The painting is part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, where it is regarded as one of the highlights of their American Wing. Its label reads "Madame X (Madame Pierre Gautreau)" and it continues to captivate audiences with its blend of realism, elegance, and the enigmatic persona it portrays.

- *Virginie Gautreau:* Madame Gautreau was an American expatriate known in Parisian high society for her beauty and distinctive style, often utilizing cosmetics to enhance her pale complexion and dark hair.
- *Artistic Techniques:* The painting exemplifies Sargent's skillful use of thin glazes, wet-on-wet technique, and his incredible control of brushstroke to render lifelike textures.
- *Legacy:* The once-scandalous reception of "Madame X" is now a testimony to how societal norms and artistic perceptions change over time. Sargent’s depiction of Madame Gautreau pushed the boundaries of portraiture, aligning it more closely with the individualistic and sometimes provocative spirit of modern art.

Thus, "Madame X" stands as a testament to Sargent's technical skill, his insight into the emerging aspects of modern identity, and his daring departure from traditional portraiture conventions.