Voting Station

Virginie Amelie Gautreau

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Socialite

The Resume

    (January 29, 1859-July 25, 1915)
    Born in New Orleans, Louisiana
    Died in France
    Subject of the 1884 John Singer Sargent painting 'Portrait of Madame X'
    Full name was Virginie Amelie Avegno Gautreau

Why she might be annoying:

    She was very vain, resorting to reddening the tips of her ears, patting on lavender-colored face and body powder to her already pale skin, and purportedly eating small amounts of arsenic to maintain her pallor.
    Wed to a rich banker over 20 years her senior, her dalliances with other men scandalized high society.
    Her social engagements delayed Sargent's completion of the portrait, with him observing, 'the unpaintable beauty and hopeless laziness of Madame Gautreau.'
    When her portrait was unveiled at the Paris Salon, it drew laughs from critics who objected to her haughty pose and plunging neckline.
    The flop painting forced Paris-based Sargent to flee to London, while she became a social recluse.

Why she might not be annoying:

    Despite imperfect facial features she was revered as a 'professional beauty.'
    Her voluptuous shape, sexy walk and chic style heightened her allure.
    'Portrait of Madame X' would be acclaimed as one of the all-time great American artworks.
    Her zestful life was the basis for several novels.

Credit: Black Chic


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 11 Votes: 90.91% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 17 Votes: 70.59% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 6 Votes: 83.33% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 12 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 26 Votes: 57.69% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 28 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 19 Votes: 63.16% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 24 Votes: 75.00% Annoying