Strapless: The Rise of John Singer Sargent and the Fall of Madame X

Rating:
Summary: Beauty secrets revealed!
Review: A fascinating, well researched view of the perfumed and indulgent world of a society beauty whose charisma captured one of the greatest artists of the nineteenth century. STRAPLESS gives Amelie Gautrea her rightful name, and reveals her notorious secrets, while offering an interesting history of Sargeant's early career. A riveting story!

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Summary: Madame X lives again in "Strapless"
Review: Absolutely captivating! "Strapless" drew me in from Chapter 1, and I remained glued to its pages until the last one turned. This book is one of those rare gems that you're sad to finish. Davis' chronicle of life in Belle Epoque Paris, the art world, and the culture of the day is simply fascinating. She bestows a vivid account of the people behind the portrait in such grand detail that it felt like I was right there peaking out from behind a canvas. Her wit and insight were wonderfully entertaining. I'm so looking forward to reading more from this new author! If you're looking for a must read -- here it is!

Rating:
Summary: Madame X lives again in "Strapless"
Review: Absolutely captivating! "Strapless" drew me in from Chapter 1, and I remained glued to its pages until the last one turned. This book is one of those rare gems that you're sad to finish. Davis' chronicle of life in Belle Epoque Paris, the art world, and the culture of the day is simply fascinating. She bestows a vivid account of the people behind the portrait in such grand detail that it felt like I was right there peaking out from behind a canvas. Her wit and insight were wonderfully entertaining. I'm so looking forward to reading more from this new author! If you're looking for a must read -- here it is!

Rating:
Summary: Art comes to life!
Review: After I read Girl with a Pearl Earring I started to look at other paintings more closely, wondering about their stories. Strapless tells a great story about a great painting. You don't have to know anything about art to appreciate it. And I like the fact that Davis doesn't get too academic. This is a lively book with very colorful characters. Try it!

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous
Review: After years of staring at Madame X and other Sargents at the Met and elsewhere, I realized I knew nothing of the people inside the portraits. This book brings the subjects of numerous pictures to life in a new and fascinating way. A must read.

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Summary: Davis has painted a vibrant and luminous picture!
Review: As an artist and a art historian, I was very pleased to get new insight into the story behind the painting Madame X and the people and places that surrounded her creation. As in The DaVinci Code, many mysteries were uncovered in an intriquing way (but without all of the running around). Bravo for writing a book that is accessible to artists and laypeople alike. Davis has painted a picture of the process the artist goes through when making decisions that remain on the canvas years after the artist and model are long gone. Worth taking the time to read the story and to see the beautiful reproductions of Sargent's paintings.

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Summary: Long magazine article
Review: I read this book to fill in my knowledge after reading a fictionalized account of Amelie Gautrea. It read like a magazine article in the New Yorker - well researched and interesting yet somehow glossing over any deeper meaning.

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Summary: Sargent
Review: I thought this book was very well researched, however, I was disappointed to see that 30 pages are notes and bibliography in a book that is 310 pages in length. This book could also use another good edit for several 'snags' that I encountered. Otherwise it is a good read.

Rating:
Summary: Sargent
Review: I thought this book was very well researched, however, I was disappointed to see that 30 pages are notes and bibliography in a book that is 310 pages in length. This book could also use another good edit for several 'snags' that I encountered. Otherwise it is a good read.

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Summary: The real profile of Madame X
Review: Madame X has always been an elusive and mysterious woman. This book places her in the context of her time and gives her a personality that is equal to her extraordinary portrait by John Singer Sargent. A great read!