Written by Deborah Davis, Reviewed by Erica
If you’re looking for an excursion back to 19th century Paris, this is the book for you! Incredibly well researched, it effectively captures the mood and moments of this exciting time in Paris’ history. The book covers the lives of American painter John Singer Sargent and his most famous subject, Amelie Gautreau. Both American expatriates living in Paris, Sargent was an ambitious artist who was determined to make a name for himself, while Gautreau was the most beautiful and enigmatic celebrity of her day. Sargent’s portrait of her was unveiled at the 1884 Paris Salon, where instead of being received as a masterpiece it was decried as an outrage for the depiction of Amelie with one strap of her gown slipping off her shoulder. With her reputation damaged beyond repair, Amelie retired from public life and destroyed all the mirrors in her home, while Sargent went on to become one of the most important painters in American history. The book’s strengths are its historical fact, its attention to two fascinating people, and its emphasis on the significance of art in Parisian society, a trait that is often sadly lacking in our own.