The subject of John Singer Sargent's most famous painting was twenty-three-year-old New Orleans Creole Virginie Gautreau; who moved to Paris and quickly became the "it girl" of her day. A relative unknown at the time; Sargent won the commission to paint her; the two must have recognized in each other a like-minded hunger for fame. Unveiled at the 1884 Paris Salon; Gautreau's portrait generated the attention she craved-but it led to infamy rather than stardom. Sargent had painted one strap of Gautreau's dress dangling from her shoulder; suggesting either the prelude to or the aftermath of sex. Her reputation irreparably damaged; Gautreau retired from public life; destroying all the mirrors in her home. Drawing on documents from private collections and other previously unexamined materials; and featuring a cast of characters including Oscar Wilde and Richard Wagner; Strapless is a tale of art and celebrity; obsession and betrayal.
#193170 in Books 2002-08-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 12.25 x 9.25 x 1.50l; #File Name: 158330214X329 pages
Review
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful. Make sure you know what you're gettingBy soxfan87This is not a neutral; secular perspective of Jewish history. 2000 Years of Jewish History is; as far as I can tell; intended to be a Bais Yaakov textbook. In other words; it's written for the right-wing Orthodox Jewish educational system. This is what I was looking for; so I very much enjoyed it; but make sure you know what you're getting when you buy this book. Since it is intended as a work for Orthodox students; it is not a literary masterpiece; but the text is quite straightforward and traces the path of Jewish history from a religious perspective from the destruction of the second Beis Hamikdosh in AD 70 to the founding of the state of Israel. Two notes:1. The book is unapologetically anti-Zionist; as the authors' belief is that the establishment of a secular state in Eretz Yisrael before the coming of Moshiach is a chillul Hashem and against Torah. It also spends a good deal of time bemoaning the Haskalah and assimilation; which will probably irk many.2. If you don't know what Beis Hamikdosh; Eretz Yisrael; and chillul Hashem mean without looking them up; this book is going to frustrate you because you're going to have to spend a lot of time on Google. It contains a lot of transliterated Hebrew and explanations aren't always provided.This book is only directed at a certain audience and certain knowledge and perspective is assumed. It's very good for what it is; but only if you also acknowledge what it isn't.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. This book filled in the missing gaps that I never knew. Well-researched and fascinating.By Sterna CitronBS"DThis history book tells where the Jews went after they were exiled from Israel and describes how the Jews fared in the various parts of the world; what great achievements in Torah scholarship they accomplished; how they flourished despite adversity; where; how and why some Jews sadly lost sight of their roots in their misplaced eagerness to assimilate. I now understand how we got to America after these many centuries and how and why a holocaust could take place. Most of all; I have a new appreciation of the strength; dedication; and vitality of the Jewish people who more than ever proudly proclaim their heritage and live a G-dly way of life.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Rabbi Schloss was my choir teacer AND taught me my ...By ZevRabbi Schloss was my choir teacer AND taught me my trope and entire parasha of chukat. I remember him as a deeply kind and caring man who was always impeccable in his manner and dress. One of the few Rabbis from YBY that I miss.
