Of course this was considered shocking, shocking, when it was first shown. Which just goes to show that sensuality isn't just about clothes, more about gesture.
Of course this was considered shocking, shocking, when it was first shown. Which just goes to show that sensuality isn't just about clothes, more about gesture.
Although when that portrait was originally shown, one of the straps on the gown was painted as having fallen down from the shoulder.
Isn't this the painting that Sargeant had originally shown the strap of the gown draping down her arm? IIRC, it was considered so scandalous that he had to change it as it is now. I'm thinking there's a lot of backstory to this painting which, of course, I can't remember! Then again, I could be thinking of a different painting. I saw the Sargeant exhibition at the National Gallery in 98 or 99. There were so many paintings and I may be getting some of them confused.