[AnAmericanMother]

It wasn't just the painting itself. The subject of the painting was fairly notorious -- Mme Gautreau. She wore lavender makeup (foundation I mean, not eyeshadow or blush) and one strap of her gown down . . . she was a Professional Beauty, in other words just at the borderline of the demimonde.

Here is the painting as it originally appeared:

[iceskater]

Yes, that's it! Thanks for the information. (And I am relieved to know my memory is not *that* bad :))

[Republicanprofessor]

Loved all your discussion of Sargent. And thanks for the photo of the original (more shocking) painting. I'll use that in class!