WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - Rumor Has It: Madame X

Episode Date: February 23, 2024

In this episode, we turn from history to art and explore the scandalous story behind a famous painting.

Hello, hell, hello, and welcome to She says most times, but this time it was true Now, rumor has it, she ain't got your love anymore. Hello, hello, and welcome to Rumor Has It. I'm your host, Addy Longmaker. And today, we're talking about a scandalous painting. The painting I'm talking about is called Madam X, and it was painted by John Singer-Sargent, a French,

and it's a painting of a French socialite named Virginie Gautreau. The painting caused a huge scandal when it was exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1884. How can a painting be scandalous, you ask? Well, the reason for the scandal was the suggestive pose and a fallen shoulder strap, heavy makeup, and the reputation of Gatrol for having affairs. Now, it was so scandalous that Sargent was forced to rename the painting, as Madam X and repaint it with the shoulder strap raised back onto her shoulder. Quite the scandalous thing.

Turns out the woman who was painted had to move countries her reputation was so ruined. What do you think? Do you think the painting's too scandalous? I think it's rather lovely. But that's one for the art historians to decide. Till next time, this has been rumor has it. on Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM. Has it, he's the one I'm leaving you for.