Julie grew up at Parlange and never left. She was content with her quiet life. Julie painted a portrait of Valentine. It took her two months to complete it. When it was done she hung it over the parlor mantel. This was one of her first pictures to be displayed. Julie had painted for memories-flash impressionistically in the backround. Julie had become a professional artist. Artists admired her work of art and hired her to copy two Titians at Louvre for the St. Louis Cathedral. Julie was more of a mother figure to Virginie then her own mother.
Thursday, January 19, 2017
Analyzing The Painting
The painting Madame X, is a significant painting from the realism era in 90's. The mastermind of this painting is John Singer Sargent. It is an oil on canvas painting currently located in the metropolitan museum of art. The painting is well known for the beautiful and seductive woman known as Madame X. The painting was initially considered a vulgar display of sexuality. Her shockingly pale but attractive skin demonstrates her beauty. The paint strokes and the use of colors blend together to create an eye pleasing view. The manipulation of light focuses on Madame X while giving the background an elegant glow. The posture of Madame X shows her defiance and dignity as it was unusual to be looking away in a painting. Her emotionless face also gives the painting and her a look of seriousness and strength. The painting is unique and quite beautiful.
Beauty Standards in Madame X
Gioia Diliberto
Who was the genius behind the notorious novel "I am Madame X"?
Her name is Gioia Diliberto. Gioia is a journalist, biographer and novelist. She is well known for her written biographies of Jane Addams, Hadley Hemingway, and Brenda Frazier, as well as the critically acclaimed novel I am Madame X. Gioia has risen to fame through her majestic use of vocabulary and her nail-biting story plots. Gioia has always shown an interest in writing about prominent women. Gioia's most famous novel is none other than I am Madame X. The novel takes you back in time to19th century Paris where we are introduced to Virginie. Gioia Giliberto has created for us a character who is as compelling and mysterious as the likeness of her in the famous and infamous, portrait of Madame X. She has also provided an entertaining and illuminating look at society during the later half of the 19th century. Even without the basis of the story stemming from the actual painting, it still would have been fascinating and every bit as readable.
Her name is Gioia Diliberto. Gioia is a journalist, biographer and novelist. She is well known for her written biographies of Jane Addams, Hadley Hemingway, and Brenda Frazier, as well as the critically acclaimed novel I am Madame X. Gioia has risen to fame through her majestic use of vocabulary and her nail-biting story plots. Gioia has always shown an interest in writing about prominent women. Gioia's most famous novel is none other than I am Madame X. The novel takes you back in time to19th century Paris where we are introduced to Virginie. Gioia Giliberto has created for us a character who is as compelling and mysterious as the likeness of her in the famous and infamous, portrait of Madame X. She has also provided an entertaining and illuminating look at society during the later half of the 19th century. Even without the basis of the story stemming from the actual painting, it still would have been fascinating and every bit as readable.
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| Gioia Diliberto, the author of I Am Madame X Official website - http://www.gioiadiliberto.com/ |
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Was Virginie truly powerful?
I was reading book reviews about I am Madame X and many of them claim the main character, Virginie, was a powerful woman in the painting and in her life. However, I disagree with their claims. Virignie had many incidents that went against the idea of "power".
Virginie had no control of her own life. Her mother made all her decisions. Her mother lived through her fame in society. Mama made Virginie take piano lessons, take dangerous medicine for beuaty purposes, and have an arranged marriage to hide her pregnanccy. Virginie's poor relationship with her mother made her susceptible to wanting attention and love from men. This made it worse because she got her heart broken by Dr. Pozzi. She thought he loved her and was going to marry her, especially since she was going to have his child. He told her he cannot get married. Virginie almost committed suicide for him. He was her weakness. She did not have control of her feelings and did not know her exact needs. She had lovers and never truly settled down, except her arranged marriage with Pierre. That marriage did not help Virginie as well as I though it would. She stayed the same insecure, weak person.
In the painting, she looks confident and glamorous. She portrayed an image of someone strong and independent. That was her actual body painted, but the energy given off by the painting is not who she actually is. She still had insecurities and difficult time accepting her true beauty. A powerful woman has no doubts or noticeable flaws. Virginie is the total opposite.
Virginie had no control of her own life. Her mother made all her decisions. Her mother lived through her fame in society. Mama made Virginie take piano lessons, take dangerous medicine for beuaty purposes, and have an arranged marriage to hide her pregnanccy. Virginie's poor relationship with her mother made her susceptible to wanting attention and love from men. This made it worse because she got her heart broken by Dr. Pozzi. She thought he loved her and was going to marry her, especially since she was going to have his child. He told her he cannot get married. Virginie almost committed suicide for him. He was her weakness. She did not have control of her feelings and did not know her exact needs. She had lovers and never truly settled down, except her arranged marriage with Pierre. That marriage did not help Virginie as well as I though it would. She stayed the same insecure, weak person.
In the painting, she looks confident and glamorous. She portrayed an image of someone strong and independent. That was her actual body painted, but the energy given off by the painting is not who she actually is. She still had insecurities and difficult time accepting her true beauty. A powerful woman has no doubts or noticeable flaws. Virginie is the total opposite.
Fashion During the Civil War
The clothing worn during the American-Civil War, were specialized dresses for every occasion: gowns, ball dresses, etc. There's the hoop skirt which are called southern belles. The Hoop extended out further in the back then the front. According to magazine articles from the era, a lady should choose colors based on harmony, simplicity and influenced by nature. The Civil War clothing worn are Victorian styles. The lower classes wore fabrics that didn't include hoop skirts they wore cheap cages. It was a struggle at times to get different fabrics.
In the story I Am Madame X it is similar to all that was said before. On page 138, Virginie was brought to where Pierre had grown up and where his widowed mother still lived. "she was wearing a shapeless black gown with a traditional breton collar of pleated white muslin. On page 142, Virginie was imagining her self walking down the aisle in a white silk dress floating down the steps. In the morning Mademoiselle Avengo wore a yellow silk gown but Madame Gautreau leaned over and said the dress was too "décolleté" for the morning. On page 147, Virginie was getting ready to go to her party. She wore her camisole, corset, chemise, stockings, and petticoats. Later on Virginie changed into a traveling outfit.
In the story I Am Madame X it is similar to all that was said before. On page 138, Virginie was brought to where Pierre had grown up and where his widowed mother still lived. "she was wearing a shapeless black gown with a traditional breton collar of pleated white muslin. On page 142, Virginie was imagining her self walking down the aisle in a white silk dress floating down the steps. In the morning Mademoiselle Avengo wore a yellow silk gown but Madame Gautreau leaned over and said the dress was too "décolleté" for the morning. On page 147, Virginie was getting ready to go to her party. She wore her camisole, corset, chemise, stockings, and petticoats. Later on Virginie changed into a traveling outfit.
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| https://www.visit-gettysburg.com/civil-war-womens-clothing.html |
Aurelie
Aurelie is a kindhearted and bold person as she quickly becomes Virginie's best friend and consoles her during Virginie's stage of home sickness. Although Aurelie is outspoken, she has never worn the nightcap that was given for punishment like it was given to Virginie.
The scandal thats revealed in the letter sent from Virginie's mom to the convent is that Aurelie is a negro. Aurelie is actually mulatto, which means she came from a half white, half black family. Aurelie was sent back home to her family due to the letter. This reveals that society is uncomfortable with the thought of a black person attending a school, which is understandable considering the time period of the story.