In la Belle Epoque Paris people lined up for art exhibitions the way we do today for blockbuster movies. In this case John Singer Sergeant caused a scandal by painting something that was much more than just a portrait of a beautiful woman, and Paris didn’t like it. It almost ruined him, it did ruin his model, and I still want to ask him why he put the strap back up. Go here to see the portrait and then go read the book.
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I don’t think she looks sultry, I think she looks disinterested. The dress and headpiece are gorgeous but I don’t think painting her head in profile does much for the painting.