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