Earlier this week I went to the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) Boston to see the Fashioned by Sargent exhibit, which closes in two weeks. This exhibit from the MFA is one of my favorites in recent memory. Perhaps Bostonians more than most Americans are interested in Sargent because of how much of his work has ended up here but it was apparent this exhibit has been embraced by the city. When I remarked about the crowds the day I visited, one of the MFA employees told me the exhibit had been very well attended.
In this exhibit the MFA looks at some of the artist’s most famous portraits and shares how Sargent meticulously dressed and posed each of his subjects; sometimes quite provocatively. A good example is his scandalous portrait of Virginie Amélie Avegno, a.k.a. Madame X, which caused an uproar when it was shown in Paris in 1884 because it emphasized the sexual allure of a married woman. It’s amazing to think this portrait ruined the reputation of Virginie Amélie Avegno in Parisian society.
In addition to watercolors and his beautiful portraits, the exhibit brings many paintings to life by exhibiting the dresses and in some cases accessories besides the paintings. The MFA has done a lot of work to provide details about which fashion houses in Paris made the dresses and sometimes even when or where the garment was worn as in the case of the 1889 painting of the English actress, Ellen Terry, performing as Lady Macbeth.
However, my favorite portrait on display is of Dr. Pozzi in his home in Paris. Aside from his striking good looks, I can’t get over how the painting seems incredibly modern and so much older than 1881 when it was painted. The MFA describes the painting below as “Sargent’s most dramatic and unconventional male portrait.”
With winter firmly in Boston’s grasp, it can be pretty miserable walking around outside, but the MFA is a great place to spend an hour or two and this exhibit gives you the perfect excuse to visit. Be sure to reserve tickets in advance and check it out. The exhibit closes on Monday, January 15, 2024.
BosGuy 