In all of Sargent's sketches of Madame Pierre Gauteau and it is believed to be over a dozen total, not one sketch that I've seen shows her engaging us directly. This was to be a very special portrait from the beginning and what we see here is Sargent struggling with the idea of her final pose within his general concept of what he wanted.

He wants her to appear aloof. He wants us to gaze upon her -- not as a standard portrait -- but as an object of beauty. Little does he know just how effective he would eventually be.

Exhibitions

John Singer Sargent, An Exhibition -- Whitney Museum, NY & The Art Institute of Chicago 1986-1987