Madame X
Jan 21, 2021
New Orleans native, Virginie Amélie Avegno’s odd beauty and natural grace attracted attention in 19th century Paris. In her, J.S. Sargent found his muse — a socialite, named, Madame Gautreau. Sargent wrote to his friend, Vernon Lee, “In a few days I shall be tackling the portrait of a great beauty … she has the most beautiful lines.”
Gautreau was many things to Sargent. Key among them was what she represented: an archetype of the modern female, a representation of the changing times — a Madame
