Sargent's Influence On Women

Even though Sargent was an accomplished artist of many genres, it was in portraiture that he achieved the greatest popularity and, subsequently, commissions in this genre were predominantly what he received. His talents as an artist of great versatility became, for the most part, marginalized, as he became known as not an artist, but a portraitist. Even today, he is celebrated for his magnificent portraits, and it is easy to understand his popularity in portrait painting after viewing even just one of his portraits. His portraits of women caused quite a stir, and this boosted his popularity while also causing him to become notorious for his sensual depictions of women. Arguably his most popular work of art, a painting titled Madame X, a portrait …show more content…
Remarkably simple, yet exquisitely polished, this portrait completely changed modern portraiture. Sargent himself stated that he believed it to be the “best thing [he had] done”, a statement that many would agree with. Ironically, at the time this incredible painting was first on view at the Paris Salon, it did not elevate Sargent’s reputation; rather, it proved detrimental to his career in Paris. At the time the portrait was shown, the gown of the subject was considered to be scandalous, for it originally showed one of the dress’s straps as slipping off the subject’s shoulder. This was thought to be so outrageous that, instead of becoming renowned for his artistic abilities, Sargent became infamous for painting such an indecent portrait. Though Sargent painted over the shoulder to move the strap back to its rightful position, the damage to his name was already done, and no amends could be made. Even Madame Gautreau, a woman known for behavior that was on the brink of passing what was considered to be acceptable socially, was embarrassed by the negative attention the portrait received, and, thus, her name was removed from the