A Personal Commentary on John Singer Sargent's Portrait of Madame X John Singer Sargent's painting "Madame X" inspired @laurensanchezbezos's look at the Met Gala. Deborah Davis, author of "Strapless, John Singer Sargent and the Fall of Madame X," tells CNN the scandal behind madame x Archives Dressed Up She's an icon, she's a legend and she is the moment When John Singer Sargent's "Madame X" was first displayed in 1884, it was described as indecent and a vulgar attempt Rent Madame X Dresses & Gowns Online