Madame X

John Singer Sargent painted this striking portrait in 1884, working without commission but with his subject's cooperation. Virginie Gautreau was an American-born Parisian socialite famous for her dramatic appearance: powdered skin, dyed hair, and lavender-tinted makeup. Sargent hoped the portrait would establish his reputation.

It did, but not as he'd planned. At the 1884 Paris Salon, the painting caused a scandal. Critics attacked Gautreau's haughty expression, plunging neckline, and especially the jeweled strap originally shown slipping off her shoulder. Though the title withheld her name, everyone knew who she was. Both subject and artist were devastated by the response.

Sargent repainted the strap in its current secure position and kept the portrait in his studio for over twenty years. In 1916, he finally offered it to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for £1,000, writing that he "rather feels inclined to let it stay" in America. He asked that her identity remain disguised, giving rise to the enduring title "Madame X." Today it's considered his work.