Spotlight Talk Skin. John Singer Sargent and the scandal of Madame X

By 1883 John Singer Sargent was establishing what would become a glittering career as the go-to portrait painter of high society. As a young artist in Paris he implored a beautiful socialite to allow him to paint her. Over the following year Sargent laboured over what he later considered to be his masterpiece, the portrait of Virginie Gautreau. The painting, exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1884, shocked its viewers with its connotations of sexual impropriety, and the breaking of class taboos in the artificial colouration of his subjects skin. It ruined Virginies reputation and ended Sargents career in Paris, but he would quickly create a new life in England as the portrait painter of the era, creating visions of beauty and swaggering privilege.In his second talk for Worcesters exhibition on Sargents work, art historian Justin Reay discusses Sargents approach to painting Virginie Gautreau, including how the sexuality of the artist played a role in this portrait; he describes the public response to the painting now known as Madame X and the reasons for the scandal which ensued, and discusses how the painting arose from the self-identity of the sitter which resonates today with modern societys fascination with how we recreate ourselves as we wish to be seen.10 for the talk. If youd like to visit the exhibition too,advance booking is available online. [https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/worcester-city-art-gallery-and-museum/john-singer-sargent-an-american-in-worcestershire/p-wjamoz] There are a variety of admission options to choose from. The rest of the Art Gallery and Museum is free to visit as usual.About Justin
Justin Reay FSA FRHistS
Retiring from a long career in business in 2001, Justin studied the History of Art and Architecture at the University of Oxford, for whom he became a senior academic manager at the Bodleian Library, advising research scholars, editing manuscripts and consulting on the universitys collections of maritime paintings. He is a published historian and a qualified teacher. He delivered courses in the universitys international residential programmes, and tutors the History of Art and Classical Studies for private students and colleges in Oxford.
Justin is an Accredited Lecturer for The Arts Society, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and of the Royal Historical Society, and a Member of the Walpole Society.