The museum record
The Metropolitan Museum of Art records this work as Madame X (Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau), by John Singer Sargent. The object facts below come from the museum’s collection record. They describe the original object; a reproduction can have different dimensions.
| Detail | Museum record |
|---|---|
| Artist | John Singer Sargent |
| Date | 1883–84 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Original dimensions | 82 1/8 × 43 1/4 in. (208.6 × 109.9 cm) Framed: 95 3/4 × 56 5/8 × 5 in. (243.2 × 143.8 × 12.7 cm) |
| Collection | Arthur Hoppock Hearn Fund, 1916 |
Look at the composition
The tall composition places a pale face and shoulder against a muted background, with a dark dress forming a broad central shape. The head’s profile, the arm and the nearby table create several strong changes in direction. Compare those relationships in the full portrait rather than judging the image from the face alone.
Dark clothing can appear very different across screens and printed papers. If the detail in the dress is important to your choice, ask about a proof before making a large reproduction. A narrow upright image may also need more height than expected once a mat and frame are included.
Plan a reproduction
Use a full-height paper template to understand this portrait’s proportions on the wall. Avoid a crop that unintentionally removes the table, hand or lower part of the dress. Preserving the tall format may call for a different frame than a more compact portrait does.
Open the museum record for the available image and source details. Inspect the file you download, compare its actual proportions with your paper, and confirm the printer’s requirements before ordering a reproduction.
Image source
The Met currently identifies this object’s image as public domain and makes its Open Access images available under CC0. Follow the collection link to inspect the museum’s available image files and current object record.