An extraordinary exhibition of the painter, John Singer Sargent (1856-1925), opened at the MET in spring of this year and runs through August 3rd.
As appears on the MET website, “Sargent and Paris explores the early career of American painter John Singer Sargent (1856–1925), from his arrival in Paris in 1874 as a precocious 18-year-old art student through the mid-1880s, when his infamous portrait Madame X was a scandalous success at the Paris Salon. Over the course of one extraordinary decade, Sargent achieved recognition by creating boldly ambitious portraits and figure paintings that pushed the boundaries of conventionality.”
The climax of the exhibition features the painting entitled Madame X and mentions the scandal that the painting stirred when exhibited in 1884. By today’s standards, the fallen strap on her gown does not seem to offend anyone the same way when it was exhibited nearly a century and a half ago. But during its first viewing, the criticism and public outrage was enough to prompt John Singer Sargent to leave Paris and relocate to London.
All of this makes for a titillating high cultural story that has survived history to accompany a painting owned by the MET. Yet, what I find more fascinating is the decision of the MET to package a chocolate bar with a reproduction of the painting on the wrapper and sell it in the gift shop at the exit of the exhibition. To offer a salacious piece of dark chocolate to the museum visitor branded with the seductive image of Madame X might suggest the possibility of extending the pleasures of Madame X to the entire audience. And for six dollars, this might be a very good deal.