This piece by John Singer Sargent is titled "Madame X."What impressions does it give you? What can you say about this woman? Why do you think Sargent painted her?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Important Links
- ACT Practice
- SAT Question of the Day
- Scholarship website
- Grammar Practice
- Gladiator Word of the Day
- College Dollars
- How to write a Literary Analysis
- SAT Vocabulary Practice
- Vocabulary practice
- How to write a Comparative Essay
- How to write a Definition Essay
- Comma Chameleon
- Lewis Carroll Word Game
- Izzit Current Events
- FCAT Explorer practice (Reading Timeline)
About Me
- Catherine M
- I am a Hialeah native, graduated from HML, went to the University of Miami, got my masters from St. Thomas University, and have been teaching since 2003. I play the piano, flute, piccolo and sing. I have two children, Sebastian and Caroline. I have traveled around the world including Australia, Ireland, Greece, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Venezuela, Ecuador and Aruba. More recently I have visited Alaska and Italy, which are both amazing places to visit.
Blog Archive
-
▼
2009
(37)
-
▼
November
(13)
- Chapter 37-39 Reading Questions
- SIFT Chart Details
- The Awakening Reading Questions
- Important Updates
- Week of November 16-20
- Creative Writing Assignment
- Homecoming Week Assignments
- Week of November 2nd
- Random
- The Awakening Reading Questions
- Songs Dealing with Independence
- Realism Movement
- Unit on Independence
-
▼
November
(13)
The piece Madame X gave me the impression of secrets that may be hidden. John shows a beautiful woman posing and looking to the right. There is a contrast between her pale skin and the black dress she is wearing. Behind the black satin dress something maybe hidden. Singer probably painted her to express pain through other ways.
ReplyDeleteAnaris Gonzalez.
P4
Madame X gave me the impression that shes hidding something. She looks like the type of woman that is very controlling by that "i dont care" attitude Sargent gave her. I think sargent painter her to explain how important women were throught history :)
ReplyDeleteSergio Canales
P.1
Madame X gives me the expression that she is trying to hide a dark secret because of the way she is dressed. She wears a black elegant dress which is black and could represent secrets or death. She is mysterious in some ways but in the other part she has a strong will and tries not to show her emotions or feelings. Sargent painted maybe to represent how women had to hold their thoughts inside them and show the pain behind women.
ReplyDeleteNaomi Rivas
P.3
i believe madame x has a secret that she will not reeveal or is hidden because of the fact that shes wearing a black dress and because she wasnt painted looking straight at u she was painted looking the other way.
ReplyDeleteSabrina Benavides
p:3
The impression that madame x gave be was secret , like if she was hiding something. Also she gave me the idea that like if she was superior. It gave me this idea because of the way she looks . She has that black dress , the way she is standing , and the way she is looking
ReplyDeleteAraceli Quinteros P.1
this painting gives me the impression of simple seduction. the artist painted something real, but also intruiging. the fact that most of the colors are a dark read, yet she's very pale makes you wonder why that is. it's interesting because she's wearing this elegant yet simple dress just standing there, leaning against the table. It's mystery in simplest form. this painting makes me think.
ReplyDelete-arabel, per.5
This woman most obviously poses herself with in a firm way, yet holding the train of her dress with her hands carefully to show grace. Her dress for one is black, a quite strong color, it mostly defines how it in turn makes her appear stronger, more invincible to say, but the actual shape of the dress remains feminine, because although a woman is strong and in control of herself, she is not expected to act like a man, she still has to be a lady. My guess is that Sargent painted her because it does show a sturdier side to a woman, one that many people weren't aware of in back in the day when a woman was regarded more as the weak link.
ReplyDeleteMaryuri Hernandez -P.4
The impression that this painting gives me is the impression of wealth and sorrow. The reason why this painting makes me think of wealth is because of the long black dress the woman is wearing. This dress looks like something a wealthy person would wear. Also, the reason why i see sorrow in this painting is because of the wman's facial expression. To me, she is looking away because she doesn't want anybody to see the pain and sadness she lives in. I believe that Sargent painted her because he wanted to show that even though you are wealthy and have all the money in the world, you can still be unhappy.
ReplyDeleteMaria Roman. Period. 1
This gives me the impresion of a person who has secrets hidden that don't want anyone to know. John shows this women looking somewhere and also shows the contrast between the girls skin and her dark dress.
ReplyDeleteThis work of art gives me the impression that she wants to reveal a dark and hidden secret. The lady is wearing a black, elegant dress with her hair picked up and her face turned to the side. In my opinion, Sargent painted this work of art to show how women back in the old days would have to keep their thoughts and actions to themselves.
ReplyDeleteMarco Diaz P.4
This piece of Madame X give an impression of back at that time how people dressed up and the way they look at things. This woman appears to spend most of her time in her house, without going anywhere as you can see it in her pale skin. This art work was painted for me in the baroque time when they used to do dark paints just as this one. They used dark colors such as dark red and black. They combined those colors to form these kind of paintings. I think John Sargent painted her to show the sadness and pain that people lived at that time. For me, this woman reflects the actions and all pain they suffered back in time.
ReplyDeleteCarlos O. Rigali
Period: 4.
---It makes me think of all the different type of women that lived at the time, I can see that this one isn't like the usual woman we are accustomed to see(from that time period) , she is showing a sexual part of her that I believe wasn't common at the time. I also see the contrast between her skin and the darkness of the background, which brings out her light skin even more.
ReplyDelete---To me she seems like a very strong woman, who liked to take risks and show her sexuality. I also believe she knew she was beautiful, due to the fact that in her pose she shows such grace and class.
--- I definitely think that he painted her because she was utterly beautiful and such beauty needed to be captured.
Liuvis Martinez
per:4
Madame X to me gives me the impression that she has alot in her mind (perhaps secrets)that she would like to tell the world. Unfortunantley woman back in her time were treated as properties and rarely no one gcared of what they thought of.
ReplyDeletePablo Martin
per.4
The Madame X picture give me an impression of a elegant woman back at the Baroque times, who expended almost all the time in her house because of the contrast of her pale skin and her black dress. Also, because of the expression in her face Madame X picture give me the impression of a woman who is hiding a big black and scare secret.
ReplyDeleteFlavio Fuentes
P#1
Madame x gave me the impression of a very fragile woman with a complete life of her, being pale and fragile looking lets you know that madame x is very fragile but yet capable of breathing and moving and so on; she looks mysterious and powerful. Madame X expression shows no emotions like if she wasnt impressed by anything anymore. She can either be wise or not but she looks like she has complete power over herself. By her looks she is beautiful and she knows it as her face is turned to the side, she is confident of herself. Madame X screams out confidence and power. Sargent might have painted her because such beauty and such an independent woman was a really unique thing to him.He painted madame x just the way she was because she is the ultimate symbol as how a woman should look like, act, and be. Really good painting if u get into it
ReplyDeletePainter Sargent gave me an impression of dark mystery. Sargent's portrait brings implicit emotions. He paints a woman in a black dress; the black dress indicates moody, powerful, depressing, and gloom. So the woman wore a dress according to her mood. Instead of looking straight foward, she looks sideways, emotionless highlighting that what she feels is so strong that she cant even look straight foward. Probably shame, or hurt since the painting is realism it compares to women back then. The fact that she looks emotionless, shows that women back then kept thier feeling within. THat thier ideas of happiness not to be spoken.
ReplyDeleteKarina Dejesus Period#3
Madame X seems like a very haughty and ostentatious woman.She looks like she belonged in the high, rich class.Her pale skin makes me think that she spend a lot of time indoors and that maybe she was a mother and a wife and that she has spend her life tending to her husband and children.But she ooze mystery.There is also a lot of symbolism in the dark dress, and her face, looking sideways, make me believe she is hurt.Her eyes look sad and she seems to be a very unhappy woman. :)
ReplyDeleteMadame X gives me the impression of a mystery that she might be holding. Madame X looks likes shes giving a symbol of respect to someone. Maybe someone died? That is why she is wearing the black dress? I believe that John painter her in order to show some kind of symbolism. The dress can tell you what was the mood of the scene. She looks very pale and sad. William Valido per: 5
ReplyDeleteMadame x gives me the expression of a depressed lonely heart. It feels like she is trying to conceal something by hiding half of her face. The long black dress gives me the impression as if she was done participating in a funeral. Just by her appearance she looks like something tragic has occurred. I think that John painted this painting to show the depression that women had back then. And to show that some women were hurt emotionally.
ReplyDeleteNOSLEN BLANCO
P.3
In the painting her impressions shows me that she is hiding something, but what is it . I think she is trying to cover herself or look away from the truth of life. I can say that she is a rich person because of the way she dresses. Is an appropriate clothes for fancy people. I think Sargent painted her because he was sending a message, he is trying to say that some women werent happy at all.
ReplyDeletePeriod # 3 Heisell Fernandez
Madame X.
ReplyDeleteWhat impressions does it give you?
__ As for the impression i get from this painting i would say is sorrow and disbelieve, i see this painting and i see that behind this womans care less face there is a secret that she doesn't want any one to find out
What can you say about this woman?
__ Madame X looks to be a woman that worry's about something she has been keeping a secret, i can see this woman is looking away as if she only felt sorry for herself
Why do you think Sargent painted her?
__ Sargent is probably trying to make a point, as to show that no matter how beautiful or elegant of a woman you were you had no right to speak your mind but to stay quite and please society around you
Ana Perez P#5
I think that the Sargent painted this portrait because he felt a connection with the woman that he was trying to paint causing him to create such an exquisite painting
ReplyDeleteHansel Lazo P#3
i feel he painted this painting because he was in love with her and he felt the urge to capture her beauty in this painting
ReplyDeleteThe size of the painting is enormous, measuring 82 inches by 43 inches or nearly seven feet ( i found that information on google by reading a litte more about the picture). i concluded that the sargent was in love with her. the painting is unique because there is no extra props. he painted her just the way she is.
ReplyDeleteIan E. (754 28 31) P.5
Madame x gave me the expression that she is hiding a dark secret. And that she is uncomftorable in that dress
ReplyDelete1) Madame x gives me an expression of mystery. I also think her neck might symbolize something like wealth and social status and then her dress is black instead of colorful and bright. Adding to the air of mystery. I think there is something she is hiding and maybe that is why the Sargent didn't paint her looking ahead, because when you are hiding something you don't look at the person straight in the eyes.
ReplyDelete2) I think that Madame x is a women of wealth and at her time was sort of like Mrs:Pontellier different and real as to that time period in the way she saw things.I also think she has an aura of power around her. Her dress is I think too sensual for that time period, I don't think many people dressed that controversial during that time period and her pose is also different in the way people were painted back then .So this must of caused great controversy when it was done. Then her super pale color also tells me something about her it can symbolize wealth or maybe purity,difference etc.
3)I think the Sargent painted her maybe to get out of the norm since she was probably a well- bred woman it probably looked like an"indecent" painting during that time.she was painted just as she was and artist always try to reinvent themselves and creating a controversial piece like this one was sure to catch the public's eye.Maybe he admired her for her boldness and difference in the status quo and was encouraged to paint her to show this.
Yaisa Rodriguez
P:3
I find the portrait about a lady of the upper-class. With a frightened pale skin color, emphasis on petite waist, looks as if she's hidding something, for instance she didn't face the painter. As if she was hiding a secret or having something bad have happened of some sort, that she hides her face. Another emphasis on her bone structure, the high chin, no eye contact. Most importantly, the essence of aphrodisiac pose, or more like the bold colors, the contrast, and minor details of the image. For example, open chest, jewels along the armstrap down to the opening, the the highlight of her figure and her skin, a non-caring idea comes to mind. Yet again, its the painters point of view, let down to ours, so it can never be clear. hmmmm, the mystery continues... (:,
ReplyDeleteGissele Rodriguez
Period 4,(:
It gave me the impression taht she's from a high class and she's very elegant. Like i said she looks elegant with her pose and her dress. Her white pale skin stands out from the dark dress and the dark background around her. Her squinty eyes and the way she has her mouth makes her look sad and uncomfortable. Yet she looks classy and respectful. I think he painted her because he thought that she was very beautiful and classy, he probably wanted to show the emotions she was feeling because of her face, maybe he just liked her, or maybe she was a very important woman with many secrets.
ReplyDeleteP.5 :]
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this old antique!There's something about the painting that just draws you in. Perhaps it is the haughty expression of the lady's face turned in profile, or the maybe too sexy dress for that time, which gave me the impression that her reputation wasn't the propper one. Her copper hair, her white white skin with the reddish touches of red on the ears and lips, and the tiny crescent in her hair are just magical but at the same time is intriguing because of the juxtaposed black color of the dress with her white skin which shows me that she is hiding her true fillings about how she was critized and treated back then.Im sure that he choosed her because she is out of the ordinary, she looks interesting and at the same time she is a beautiful woman with character and personality.
ReplyDeleteThe impresssion this painting gives me is bitter sweet. This woman whom seems to be wealthy and have luxuris is unhappy. Sure she can have money and fancy clothing but she has no real purpose.All due to the limitations on the female scociety before they were given rights. This women in the painting yerns to be more than a "housewife"
ReplyDeleteThe Impressions I get from this Painting are independence, vulnerability, and desire. The way that her stance is indicates that she is a frim strong woman who has herself together, and by the way that she takes up the whole picture space and is the main focal point, you can conclude that she is a very outgoing woman who likes to be the center of attention. I get the sense of vulnerability by the way that her head is turned, she is elongating her neck, which is the most vulnerable part of the human body, and she's exposing it to a degree. She has a sense of desirabilty among her by the way that her dress is. It has a deep cut, exposing her chest a bit, and has a ideal sense of feminism to it. Also, I feel like if she's hiding something because if you notice she holding her hand back against the table which gives you the feeling that she's either hiding something or holding it back.
ReplyDeleteKrystina Perez
p.1
My impression of "Madame X" is that this woman is ready to make stand, she is tired of societie's perspective of perfect. What I can say about this woman s that, she has been oppressed (the ring on her left had) but that she is now turning her back and is ready to stand alone. I believe Sarget painted her to show that art doesn't always has to be beautiful, it can be real.
ReplyDeleteIsabel Portillo
Period 1
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMy impression of Madame X is that she is hiding something, because she is looking straight at the floor as a sign of insecureness migth be. Yet i also think that maybe it shows how woman back then werent happy with themselfs they had no "freedom" like they do today.. The reason why i think he painted this was because they were in the time of realism were they painted things how it really was..
ReplyDeleteRuben Vega Period 3
ReplyDeleteThe woman in this painting makes me think that she is of high wealth. She is wearing a beautiful black dress and she is very beautiful and in a finely designed room. But what draws away from her wealth is her bare neck. Im pretty sure, Her not having a necklace symbolizes something.
I think he wanted to paint something beautiful, that makes people wonder
I think the women represented elegance and beauty. She's filled with beauty but has her flaws and would keep secrets if she has too. I think the lack of jewelery states that she has natural beauty and doesn't need items to decorate her body. She was painted maybe to symbolize the beauty and mystery that she portrays.
ReplyDeleteThe piece Madame X demonstrates an appearance of been full of secrets and mystery's that are only known by her. I also think that the woman is wealthy and is famous because of how she is dress and finally I think that Sargent painted her because maybe he's in love with her and wanted to have a memory of her.
ReplyDeleteLuis M
p#1
The impression that this painting gives me is that Madame X has a lot of pose, and class. Also, in my opnion by her wearing all black i feel it symbolizes a darkness or maybe her mood. For example it might be a very gloomy period for her or even the painter.
ReplyDeleteWhen i see look at Madame X i see in a way a very powerful woman, the height that has been giving to mher makes her seem lean and strong.
I believe Sargent painted her to show that a lot can be hidden behind a painting.
Karina G P.1
the posture the woman has shows a woman who is not afraid to look the other way when there is such a rude comment said. Due to the black dress it also shows some sort of mystery or secret.last her character seems very strong like she can go through a lot in life and not let the pain show.
ReplyDeletevianca potts from 1st period
This picture gives me the impression that Madame X is a very high class type of woman and shes stuck up, I think Sargent painted her because he is intrigued in her personality
ReplyDeleteAlejandro Manganelly
Pd 1
The fact that its not very colorful tells alot about the time of the painting the artists state of mind and creates a dark illusion. I also ask myself why is her dress that color and what is she looking at? also shows shes not scared of much.
ReplyDeletethis picture tells me that she is a woman of upper-class. i feel there's a secret that she's hiding something. if is not her is the one who drew it.I get that feeling because she doesn't look at the one frawing her she looks away.Also the book we are reading now "The Awakening" has to do with that picture a little bit because it during that time woman didn't have rights and in that picture it looks like that too because she's turned her face to the side.
ReplyDeletemarlyn p.5
My impression of "Madame X" is that she is hiding something. I believe this because the woman is looking away from the painter which shows that she is insecure. Also, the artist used very dark colors such as black as dark red to contrast her pale white skin. This gives the painting a mysterious look.
ReplyDeleteJovany Per: 3
Yoselin Martinez
ReplyDeletePeriod 3
This piece by John Singer Sargent shows a woman posing ostentatiously in a black satin dress with jeweled straps. It gives an impression as if the dress reveals and hides something at the same time. I can realize that the portrait is characterized by the pale flesh tone of the subject along with her natural, delicated posture of her body, contrasted against a dark colored dress and background that reflects the realistic style of this paint. This lady is shown as an elegant, beautiful woman, characterized by a mysterious, refined way of behave, but simple at the same time since the fact she doesn't have any jewel; although she seems to belong to the upper class. I think Sargent painted her to describe the beauty, delicacy, and imposing personality that women started to demostrate at this time.
From this painting i can say that the woman looks either depressed or aggravated. The reason for that is because she is turning her head away from the painting as if she doesn't want to be seen.
ReplyDeleteMy impression of Madame X is that she looks mysterious. From the looks of it, she looks like she is hiding something ,by the way she is looking at the floor and by the color of the dress. It looks like she is feeling dark. The black dress might be a way to show how she feels instead of saying anything. This woman shows that she is very elegant but has secrets of her own that no one should know about.
ReplyDeleteCharlene Sanchez pd#5
The impression i get from madame x is that she has a lot on her mind. to me it seems like shes been going through a lot of problems and shes just tired of it all but she keeps to herself rather than breaking free. i get this impression due to her pose and her face it shows a bit of fear rather than confidence and the black dress is very conservative almost as of she just wants to be unoticed.
ReplyDelete-Anthony Ochoa
The impression that this painting gives me is the impression of darkness, pain and grief. The reason why it makes me think of this, is for her long beautiful black dress, therefore she might be hiding a deep secret which makes her look away
ReplyDeleteIn the painting Perhaps the woman does not want to show her pain. Sargent painted this work of art to portray how back in the days, they needed to keep to themselves, and Sargent is also trying to express some women weren’t happy at all.
- Claudia Acanda ; Period.4
The impression this painting gives me is of pain, weekness & loneliness. I think this because of the darkness in the painting. Usually a painter paints within his mood or surroundings. The women in the painting is also wearing a black dress which doesnt usually signify happiness. In the painting itself you could see her loneliness. It seems to me like she's hiding something. I think Sargent painted her because she is a very beautiful women indeed & her posture & her vibe gave off a picture perfect portrait .
ReplyDelete-Eymi Falcon. P4
:(
ReplyDeleteMadame X Has Much To Talk About But No One Willing To Listen. She Has Plentiful Of Stories To Tell But No One To Tell It To. She Is Mystery Personified, But Like Any Other Mystery She Has A Solution. She Is A Happy Soul, Trapped In A Facade to Satisfy Her Husband, Parents And "Friends". She Does Not Make Eye Contact Because she Refuses To Trust You. Her Ecstasy Filled Spirit Is Trapped In A World That Does Not Comprehend Her Potential.
Sargent Painted Her Because Hopefully He Understood Her Or Was Attempting To Achieve To Understand.
-Mayonesa
(Moises Period 4)
This painting gives me the simple expression of someone who just had a long day, and needs to put her arm on a table just to maintain balance. It's the painting of someone living a very difficult life to maintain, and is constantly under strict expectations.
ReplyDeleteAnthony Quintero,
Period 3
This painting gives me the impression of a woman who looks else where, and really does not look forward to anyone's morals. She seems as if she could only care less, and move on to something better in exchange. This woman seems to gaze out side her window, looking at things she wishes todo.
ReplyDelete- Daniel Betancourt
P.5
This painting gives me the impression of some one who is in pain or is grieving for something(The Black Dress can represent death or something bad). I think she really was like that when she was painted and not faked as some artists do today. They tend to add things like flowers and cheerful colors and other things that make the viewer happy but not this one. I think he painted her because she represented realism.
ReplyDelete^^^^^
ReplyDelete- Max P.4
The impression that I get from the painting of Madame X is that she is an independent woman different from the kind of woman of that time. She wears black, which was unusual in that time. People in that time used to wear light and happy colors. She is also looking to another side of the room of where she is, and this shows that she doesn't really care about being painted.
ReplyDeleteI think Sargent paited her because he wanted to show the beauty, and mystery that this woman has. He wanted to show how this woman was different from the rest.
******posted by Claudia Peña from period 1******