Skin: John Singer Sargent and the Scandal of Madame X
Mon, 07 Feb
|Zoom
In 1883 John Singer Sargent implored a beautiful socialite to allow him to paint her, resulting in the portrait of Virginie Gautreau. The painting destroyed Sargent's career in Paris. Lecturer Justin Reay examines prevailing attitudes and the public response to the painting known as Madame X.
Time & Location
07 Feb 2022, 11:30 – 12:30
Zoom
About the Event
Lecturer Justin Reay
Category Paintings
In 1883 a young artist in Paris implored a beautiful socialite to allow him to paint her. Over the following year John Singer Sargent laboured over what is considered to be his masterpiece, the portrait of Virginie Gautreau. The painting shocked its viewers with its connotations of sexual infidelity. It ruined Virginie’s reputation and destroyed Sargent’s career in Paris, but he would create a new life in England as the portraitist of high society. Justin discusses the public response to the painting known as Madame X, introducing questions about the sexuality of the artist and the self-identity of his subject.
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Location Online via Zoom
This lecture will be delivered only on Zoom due to high COVID rates.
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Covid-19
While there is still uncertainty about social distancing or any change in regulations, if we are unable to meet, our lectures will continue online on Zoom.
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