Madame X

 

I visited the “Sargent & Paris” exhibit at the Met again before it closes next week.

There’s no doubt that the star of the show was the notorious “Madame X.”

Several preparatory sketches were included in the show. 

 Showing that famous profile.

No wonder I recognized her immediately when I saw her again at the Isabella Gardener Museum in Boston.  (They have loaned this painting for the exhibit.)

This full length almost finished sketch does not include the infamous sleeve.

This photo from the salon is the only record of it in its original scandalous position.

It’s hard to believe that it caused so much upset.

But the final version – part of the Met’s permanent collection – shows it high on her shoulder.  Yes, he had to “fix” it to get people to move on. Sigh.

One other painting really caught my attention. 

“Edouard and Marie-Louise Pailleron – 1881”

According to the caption “its creation involved a staggering – and possibly apocryphal – eighty-three sittings during which the artist and the headstrong girl battled over her attire and pose.”  She certainly does look like a handful.

Here are some previous blogs from The Met…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2015/05/china-through-looking-glass.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2018/02/michelangelo-at-met.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2019/09/tiffany-at-met.html

Enjoy!

PJ

 

© 2025 PJ Lehrer

Peonies 4

 

I’m a big fan of peonies.

Since it has been a few years since I photographed any,

I headed to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to see if I could catch a few. 

 The collection is much larger than it was the last time I photographed them. 

I guess I’m not the only one who’s a fan.

But my timing was off, and I was a bit too late for most of them.

Proof of that could be found in the carpet of petals beneath the bushes.

But there were enough late bloomers still at peak

for me to get some great shots,

and to remind me to time my visit better next year. 😉

Here are some previous blogs of peonies…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2018/09/peonies-3.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2016/06/peonies-2.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2012/12/peonies.html

Cheers!

PJ

 

© 2025 PJ Lehrer

Mermaid Parade 2025 – p2

 

As promised, here’s a second set of pics from this year’s edition of the Mermaid Parade.

Comparing it to 2023 ( I skipped last year)

It seemed to me that there was more nudity.

And yet, it was still very much a family event.

Check out this adorable mommy and me sea horse duo.

That makes it a great example of people getting along.

Of course, someone just had to bring up the pizza rat.

But lots of pretty mermaids made up for it,

Not to mention the octopus finale.

Till next year…

Here are the previous posts of the parade…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2025/06/mermaid-parade-2025-p1.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2023/06/the-mermaid-parade.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2023/07/mermaid-parade-2.html

 

Cheers!

PJ

© 2025 PJ Lehrer

Salzburg Digital Collage

 

This month’s digital collage features Salzburg.  It began with this pic of one of its many beautiful churches taken from a nearby hill.

And, the flower in the drawing was blooming in the garden at Hellbrunn Palace.

Here are links to previous collages…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2025/05/spain-collage.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2025/02/tulum.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2025/03/venice.html

Cheers!

PJ

 

© 2025 PJ Lehrer

Mermaid Parade 2025 p1

 

I was watching an old episode of CSI:NY the other day, and someone asked what the Mermaid Parade was.

Mac’s reply – “It’s the annual whack fest held in Coney Island kicking off the summer season.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

It’s the ultimate NYC experience – fun, inclusive and very weird.

No wonder it’s my favorite parade.

Mermaids abound of course.

But so do sea creatures of various types.

That gives most people enough room to stay on theme but still show off their creativity.

Still some, like the Weiner Sisters with their tribute to Nathan’s – yes those are hot dog buns in their hair and hot dogs on their dresses - go a bit off course.

And others… Well let’s just say that I love the look but I’m having trouble finding the connection to the sea.

I’ll post a second set of pics in a couple of weeks.  Meanwhile, here are some from 2023…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2023/06/the-mermaid-parade.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2023/07/mermaid-parade-2.html

Cheers!

PJ

 

© 2025 PJ Lehrer

Karnak, Egypt

 

We have so many beautiful photos from our trip to Egypt in 2000 it’s definitely time to share some more.

These are from Karnak.

It is the largest religious complex ever made, covering 200 acres.  Its size is truly astonishing.

The great temple at the heart of Karnak is so big that St. Peters, Milan and Notre Dame Cathedrals would all fit within its walls.

And the Hypostyle Hall with its 134 columns at 54,000 feet (16,459 meters) is the largest room of any religious building in the world.

The complex which was the center of worship of Amun-Re, chief god of Thebes,

also has spaces dedicated to Mut and Khonsu.

It was built from 2055 BC to 100 AD, with over 30 pharaohs contributing to the site.

Between 1838 and 1840, the Scottish painter David Roberts included Egypt in his tour of the middle and near east.  Upon his return he turned his sketches into lithographs.  Here is what the entrance to Karnak looked like in his day.

And here is what it looks like now. 

A book of his work entitled “Yesterday and Today Egypt” features similar juxtapositions, as well as excerpts from Roberts’ diary.  Not surprisingly he often comments about the heat. 😉

Here are some other blogs about Egypt…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2013/05/egypt.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2018/11/egypt-2.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2019/12/egypt-3.html

 

Enjoy!

PJ

 

© 2025 PJ Lehrer