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Tuesday, July 1, 2008

X is for

these prints left by my YaktraX , traction devices, that I wear over my sneakers to walk outside in the snow. Recommended by my friend Caroline who runs year round, these kept me fearlessly and safely out-of-doors for a lot longer.

Also, since finding photos of X is so hard (!) I'm adding a bit of art history to fill in my post with a painting by John Singer Sargent called Madam X

He painted this large (height: 7 ft.) portrait of a noted French socialite in 1884 and though it was it personal favorite, he subsequently received much criticism for its 'seductive' qualities. Hw later sold it to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Click on this site to see many additional studies he made in graphite and watercolor of his subject like the one below before painting the famous one above.

Alas, my feeble attempt for ABC Wednesday's letter X. To see more x-es or join in the fun, see Mrs Nesbitt's blog where you will be roundly welcomed!

19 comments:

anno said...

Simply eXcellent!

Nessa said...

I like your x contributions. Very cool.

Tom said...

I think the post as been a delightful one..

esnorway said...

nice x

mrsnesbitt said...

Exsquisite! LOL!

AphotoAday said...

Still looks rather seductive to me...   It must be quite a treat to see that life-size...
Thanks for that link -- interesting art, for sure...
Wishing you a great x day.

Donna said...

Neat photos!!hughugs

me ann my camera said...

These look like great X treads!

Kyanite said...

Didn't you do well!
X-cellent X's.

Rune Eide said...

I liked the ladies, but I hope indeed that it will be some time before the fist one is on the agenda!

Anonymous said...

I had a hard time with this one. You did good.

Profile Not Available said...

I have always loved this painting! Sargent is one of my favorites! I attended an exhibit here a few years ago that was brilliant. "In the Luxemburg Gardens" is another one I love.

Bear Naked said...

Madam X is an eXcellent choice for X on ABC Wednesday.

(Ironically the first letter below on the word verification is the letter X.)

Louis la Vache said...

Wouldn't those who thought Singer's painting was scandalous be shocked half to death at what goes on today! Wardrobe malfunction, indeed!

Singer was a very fine painter. He painted the Bourne family who built Filoli on the San Francisco Peninsula.

"Louis" is buried deeper than his cowbell in a work project for the next several weeks. He will stop and visit, but may not stay long enough to 'sign the guest registry'.

Reader Wil said...

What beautiful photos of the paintings of John Singer Sargent. He was a great painter. Good representation of X's

Granny Smith said...

Your YaktraX X post is certainly the most original!

I enjoyed the Sargent artwork, but especially the sketch. I usually prefer his sketches over the finished paintings.

I intend to do the picture meme when I find time on the computer. Otto has been using mine for some of his work lately, since his doesn't have some of the programs he wants to use - spread sheets, in this case.

So I have plenty of time to read - six books this last week, and I will try to get to the library this week for a refill.

I hope to see you on Sunday Scribblings!

Granny Smith said...

I finally finished the photo meme you tagged me for. See July 3 post.

Have a happy fourth of July!

Daryl said...

Very good Xs ..

Katney said...

I will look up the Yaktrax! (and when I do I will spell it right because I don't think I did here.)