Frame Vermillon
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John Singer Sargent (January 12, 1856 – April 14, 1925) was an American artist, who fell madly in love with Europe and spent most of his life there. At the time, he built an enviable reputation of being the best and the most reputable, original portrait painter in Europe. His watercolors, portraits, and landscapes won him love and accolades from all over the world. The painter got training as a French artist, with his main influences from ‘Impressionism’ viz., the Dutch Master Frans Hals, the Spanish Master Velazquez, and the impressive French teacher Carolus-Duran. For several years, John remained the darling of the Paris art crowd, until his most famous painting the “Portrait of Madame X” or simply “Madame X” pulled him into despair.
“Portrait of Madame X” was an impressive seven feet tall, oil on canvass painting, created in 1884. It was considered too sexually suggestive and explicit. The young American model Madame Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau, the wife of a French banker Pierre Gautreau, was considered a flirt and ‘the’ icon of beauty and sophistication in the then French society. The whispers of her affairs were prevalent among the glitterati and she was renowned for using her beauty to control men. John Sargent met Madame Pierre Gautreau at one of the society parties and expressed his interest in painting her. Gautreau enthusiastically accepted the proposal in 1883. Sargent took inspiration from Ingres’ painting ‘Odalisque with a Slave.’ Singer Sargent though decided to tone it down with a clothed, real life unpaid model.
The painting is set against a deep hued background. It shows a dull flesh toned woman with sharp and elegant contours, wearing a black, satin evening gown having jeweled straps. She is shown standing in a front pose with her head turned sideways. She has extended her right arm to take the support of the table on her side. Lead white, rose madder, vermilion, viridian, and bone black are the colors used to create this artwork. There were rumors that Madame Gautreau might have powdered her skin to intentionally look so pasty, a sexually explicit frame. Though a stunner, John was not quite satisfied with the “Portrait of Madame X.” In several letters to Castillo, the artist reiterated his belief that the subject was too pale and the background too gloomy to attract and hold attention. He even contemplated turning the painting upside down and repainting it.
The painting was displayed at the Paris Salon of 1884 and even though it was seventh show, the John Singer Sargent had grave forebodings about the painting’s fate at the Salon. John’s premonition was substantiated when the painting was panned as soon as the Salon doors were opened. Due to the subsequent critical outcry, the painter had to remove the “Portrait of Madame X” before the show was over and it stayed hidden in Sargent’s studio for several years. The exact reason for panning the true to life painting and the criticism turning so vicious is still a matter of debate.
John Singer Sargent had originally painted the portrait with the shoulder strap off, which was considered Gautreau’s trademark. With the resulting uproar however, the painter painted the strap. Even Madame Gautreau and her family were royally fed up with the uproar surrounding the “Portrait of Madame X.” The derision destroyed ‘very sensitive to criticism’ Sargent. He subsequently left Paris and settled in England, where he regained the fame he so rightly deserved. The “Portrait of Madame X” gathered its due acclaim around 1905, when it was internationally displayed at several exhibitions. Since 1916, it continues to grace the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Manhattan, United States.
Annette Labedzki received her BFA at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. She has more than 25 years experience. She is the founder and developer of an online art gallery featuring original art from all over the world. It is a great site for art collectors to buy original art. Is is also a venue for artists to display and sell their art . Artists can join for free and their image upload is unlimited. Please visit the website at http://www.Labedzki-Art.com.
Annette has bonus offers on her work only. Buy 2 paintings of any size and receive 1 painting of your choice for free of equal size and value. SHIPPING IS FREE IN CANADA AND US ON SMALLER ITEMS.
Please feel free to subscribe to her newsletter at http://www.Labedzki-Art.com.
Project Zero 2 – Vermillion
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Uvex S0406X FitLogic Safety Eyewear, Black and Silver Frame, SCT-Vermillion UV Extreme Anti-Fog Lens $9.95 American designed, the Uvex FitLogic incorporates a revolutionary frame design with a soft, lightweight browbar that adjusts to any face shape.In addition, a pioneering nosepiece design rotates, pivots and slants providing face-contouring comfort for all day wear.Flexible, expandable, durable, lightweight and comfortable, nothing fits or feels as good as the Uvex FitLogic.Featuring SCT Vermillion … |
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Wallmonkeys Peel and Stick Wall Decals – Vermillon – Removable Graphic WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |
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Lure-Eyes Osprey 4709 Polarized Sport Sunglasses $63.99 Osprey sunglasses are highly evolved to protect eyes from wind and weatherLure-Eyes sport sunglasses features 100-percent titanium frames weighing less than one ounceGoggle lenses coated to prevent water spotting |
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Nike Vision Precocious Women’s Rectangular Sunglasses $59.99 These Nike Sunglasses are a rectangular plastic sport frame with a rubber nose bridge and a contrasting color on the inside of the frame. The metal Nike logo is inlaid in the temples. |
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Murano ‘Fire Centerpiece’ Hand-blown Bowl (Brazil) $221.99 Radiant in fiery vermilion, this bowl’s undulating shape brings a dynamic sense to your home decorVase feature a unique design of speckled ash in the glassSmall air bubbles in the glass make his hand-blown bowl charming |
