Book Review

             I Am Madame X  is a compelling story regarding the story of Virginie Avegno Gautreau, the model of the infamous painting made by John Singer Sargent in 1884. The author, Gioia Diliberto, set out to write a biographical account of Virginie's life despite the lack of information that was available (other than a memoir written by the actual Virginie). Diliberto portrayed Virginie as a strong, young woman who was a victim of societal expectations and surrounded her life in scandals and passion due to her loneliness. Often going back and forth from France and America, Virginie would be a completely different person had she stayed at her grandmother's plantation in Louisiana.

            Diliberto also accurately portrayed the shift into Impressionism - which occurred in the late 1800s - through her fictional characters, such as Julie. These avant-garde ideas were frowned upon in the Salon due to their desire to see generic paintings that were previously popular years before. Although John Singer Sargent was not present until near the end of the novel, Diliberto fleshed him out as a charming and shy painter who persisted to paint Virginie for a year before she accepted. When he presented his art to the Salon, the public was horrified and called his painting scandalous. However, Virginie's portrait is considered a treasured icon in American art today.

            Overall, I Am Madame X is an interesting book that includes plot twists and events that would garner sympathy for Virginie. I would recommend Madame X to anyone interested in learning about France and the art world during this 19th century and why this mysterious painting became such a sensation.

For more reviews - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/113128.I_Am_Madame_X