I Am Madame X

Diliberto, who has previously written only biographies, brings to life in fictional form the notorious Madame X of Sargent`s 1884 painting. Her real name was Virginia Avegno Gautreau, and she came from Louisiana--daughter of a Civil War widow who took her child to Paris hoping her beauty would provide an entree into French society. Her ascent in the world, and the accompanying notoriety of her life, appealed to Sargent, whose portrait of her caused a sensation when it appeared. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.