Helpful Score: 2
A fascinating account of the woman who posed for John Singer Sargent's most famous portrait, Portrait of Madam X. Virginie Avegno was born on her grandmother's plantation outside of New Orleans and then moved with her mother and sister to Paris to escaspe the Civil War - where she became a renowned beauty - the talk of the town. A great read based on historical fact.
Helpful Score: 1
I'd looked forward to reading this for a long time, but it left me rather flat. Too many boring details about her younger life and not enough about her notoriety as the Madam X of Sagent's painting. The painting itself is far superior to the book about it!
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent novel based on the life of a young, beautiful Creole from a wealthy family who made waves in French society during and after the American Civil War. Virginie posed for an important and scanalous painting (see cover) by Jean Singer Sargeant and most of her life is shaped by the scandal that erupted.
Also read Strapless (non-fiction) for the story of the painter and his most famous subject.
Also read Strapless (non-fiction) for the story of the painter and his most famous subject.
