The subject of John Singer Sargents most famous painting was twenty-three-year-old New Orleans Creole Virginie Gautreau; who moved to Paris and quickly became the "it girl" of her day. A relative unknown at the time; Sargent won the commission to paint her; the two must have recognized in each other a like-minded hunger for fame. Unveiled at the 1884 Paris Salon; Gautreaus portrait generated the attention she craved-but it led to infamy rather than stardom. Sargent had painted one strap of Gautreaus dress dangling from her shoulder; suggesting either the prelude to or the aftermath of sex. Her reputation irreparably damaged; Gautreau retired from public life; destroying all the mirrors in her home. Drawing on documents from private collections and other previously unexamined materials; and featuring a cast of characters including Oscar Wilde and Richard Wagner; Strapless is a tale of art and celebrity; obsession and betrayal.
#692897 in eBooks 2000-02-01 2000-02-01File Name: B001L1SF0E
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy C. Vittersgreat book
