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Home » Have You Ever Had Your Portrait Painted?

Have You Ever Had Your Portrait Painted?

May 13, 2019

I have, a lot, years ago. When I worked in a bookstore, I moonlighted at an Art Center, as a model… It was nice to be paid in cash, but it was quite a lesson in sitting quietly!

I’ve been ill – fibromyalgia has eaten up quite a bit of my time… But I didn’t want you to wake up Monday morning without something pretty on The Vivienne Files!

So I’m sharing some Giovanni Boldini paintings with you…

They may not be your style, but there’s no denying that these women have their personal image sorted out. Can you imagine how long it might take to decide what to wear for such a project?

I want to be the Countess de Janville when I grow up – I’ve got the curly hair!

My ailments tend to only last a few days, so I’m optimistic that by Wednesday, I’ll have something beautiful to share, having to do with the May bracelet from Fierce Lynx Designs…

love,

Janice

HAVE YOU EVER HAD YOUR PORTRAIT PAINTED?

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05.13.19 36 Comments

Tags: personal style, Start with Art
<<Do You Have Enough Clothes?Start with a Bracelet – The May green and beige bracelet from Fierce Lynx Designs!>>

Comments

  1. Helen says

    May 13, 2019 at 4:28 am

    Feel well soon, Janice! Sending healing thoughts and prayers. How kind of you to share, in the meantime, such wonderfully expressive and beautifully colored portraits!

    Reply
  2. S says

    May 13, 2019 at 5:12 am

    I am sorry to hear you are struggling. I trust that you will soon feel as good as these grand ladies look in their wonderful portraits!

    Reply
  3. Sharon says

    May 13, 2019 at 5:13 am

    Thank you for thinking of us Janice and I hope your ailments improve soon.
    What a fabulous painter; I could almost reach out and touch the skirt part of Josephine’s dress, it looked so real!
    My favourite is Mlle de Gillespie, I just love the colour, movement and softness and her face reminds me of a dear friend who is no longer with us.

    Reply
  4. Laura says

    May 13, 2019 at 5:38 am

    Feel better soon! And you know you can take a break if you need to!! Wonderful fabrics in those portraits—-

    Reply
  5. Elyse says

    May 13, 2019 at 5:51 am

    Spring is really the worst for my fibro…lots of healing energy being sent your way!

    Reply
  6. Norma says

    May 13, 2019 at 7:30 am

    Janice, please feel better soon. What a treat this morning. I’m currently reading “The American Heiress” by Daisy Goodwin and I’m just at the part where Cora, the new Duchess of Wareham, is having her portrait painted. Now I can visualize her portrait and look. Thank you so much.

    Reply
  7. Lee says

    May 13, 2019 at 7:41 am

    Hope this flare up subsides soon.
    The portraits are gorgeous. I do wonder how they managed to move with constricting undergarments and how the upper parts of their clothes did not fall when they did move?

    Reply
    • Janice says

      May 13, 2019 at 9:22 am

      I’m hoping for the sake of these women that the artist took some liberties with their garments! Otherwise, they’re not all quite suited to go out in public…
      hugs,
      Janice

      Reply
    • Sarah says

      May 13, 2019 at 2:23 pm

      I read this article recently https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-madame-scandalized-art . I notice Boldini knew and painted portraits of Singer Sargeant. There were clearly some very fine lines drawn, artistically and culturally, about what was worn and how!

      Reply
  8. patval says

    May 13, 2019 at 8:12 am

    So sorry you are not feeling well. I appreciate your hard work, but understand a need for rest. I will faithfully check back to your site looking forward to the day you feel well enough to post again. patval

    Reply
  9. Hélène G. says

    May 13, 2019 at 8:22 am

    I’m sad to learn you suffer of fibromyalgia, Janice : I know – even if I haven’t it – that this desease brings much suffering, and disability. And so many other problems too…
    So, I admire very much you bring so happiness and joy here, among your blog.
    I hope you are going to feel better soon.
    Amitiés,
    Hélène

    Reply
  10. Lisa P says

    May 13, 2019 at 8:24 am

    I’m so sorry to hear you are not feeling well. Rest as much as you need to—we’ll be here when you are back! Those Boldini ladies are just wonderful! Imagine owning (and having someplace to wear) such spectacular dresses!

    Reply
  11. Shrebee says

    May 13, 2019 at 9:26 am

    Janice,
    Prayers for rapid relief of the fibromyalgia — ouch ! Thank you sharing the stunning, rich fabrics that these ladies are wearing , such glamorous , aristocratic , and elegant paintings ! Stuff of dreams !

    Reply
  12. Carol says

    May 13, 2019 at 9:26 am

    Hope you are feeling better soon. Thank you for sharing these lovely portraits.

    Reply
  13. Taste of France says

    May 13, 2019 at 9:28 am

    Get well soon!
    I love all of these–they look like they stepped out of Proust’s tales. They also make me think of the ups and downs of women’s bosoms. It was definitely a go-low era (and I’m talking about the location, not the necklines), versus the pushed-up 1950s. Funny what we impose on women’s bodies.
    I’ve had my portrait sketched, by one of those artists outside the NY Met. A painting is quite more work than charcoal. My mother painted portraits, and I think the toll of the hours of work is as hard on the painter as on the subject trying to keep still.

    Reply
  14. Deborah Singh-Boos says

    May 13, 2019 at 12:02 pm

    I am sorry to hear you’re not feeling well. My prayers are with you for a quick recovery. The pictures by Boldini are quite stunning. Thanks for thinking of us. Boldini seemed to love the neck, shoulders and decollete of his subjects. He reminds me of the Trinidadian born artist Boscoe Holder who loved to paint ladies with long and slender necks. One of his most famous portraits is of Wendy Fitzwilliam from Trinidad and Tobago and Miss Universe 1998. Boscoe’s brother, Geoffrey, was also a well known artist in various fields and starred in the movie “Annie”. When you get the chance, maybe you can check out their work.

    Reply
  15. Camille says

    May 13, 2019 at 12:25 pm

    Hope you feel better fast!!!!

    Reply
  16. Sheri says

    May 13, 2019 at 12:57 pm

    Take care of yourself! That’s the most important thing! Appreciate the post!!

    Reply
  17. Lucretia Roletta says

    May 13, 2019 at 2:30 pm

    I hope you feel better soon.
    Thanks for the lovely pictures. I’m excited to learn more about this painter.

    Reply
  18. Deb Ryan says

    May 13, 2019 at 2:33 pm

    Hello
    Sending good vibes and healing energy.
    Deb from Vancouver

    Reply
  19. Sarah says

    May 13, 2019 at 2:34 pm

    Get well soon! In art as in life the yellow and black is calling me.

    Reply
  20. Ingrid says

    May 13, 2019 at 3:30 pm

    I am so sorry that you are ill. I wish you feel better soon. Thank you for your posts. You are a true inspiration!

    Reply
  21. Margot says

    May 14, 2019 at 1:01 am

    Quite beautiful portraits! Dear Janice, I hope you feel better soon. As others have said, please take whatever break you need to.

    Reply
  22. Dreamingoffashion says

    May 14, 2019 at 3:56 am

    Hope you feel better soon! Thank you for all you do on this lovely site.

    Reply
  23. BeeeBeee says

    May 14, 2019 at 4:56 am

    I’m sorry to learn that you have fibromyalgia. Please take the time you need to rest and recover, we will be here to welcome you back when you are ready.

    Thank you for today’s post, I enjoyed it very much.

    Reply
  24. Deb says

    May 14, 2019 at 7:14 am

    Dear Janice (I nearly called you Vivienne!)
    I am sorry to hear you are not feeling the best. Please rest up and be kind to yourself. Lovely paintings. (I wish i had a waist like them!).

    Reply
    • Janice says

      May 14, 2019 at 7:31 am

      Ah, if you’re willing to wear a corset that makes breathing difficult, and that interferes with your digestion, I’m sure it’s possible!
      hugs,
      Janice

      Reply
      • Amanda R says

        May 14, 2019 at 3:31 pm

        I tried on corsets in the dress-up area of the Costume Museum in Bath, UK, and boy, do they make you carry yourself well! I had to stand straight, walk slowly and sit very gracefully just to keep breathing right. Heaven knows how pregnant women managed, and high society ladies still did wear them when pregnant.
        Hope you’re feeling much better soon, Janice!

  25. Sandra says

    May 14, 2019 at 11:37 am

    Dear Janice, I hope you’ll feel better soon – take as much time for that as you need. Thank you for your great blog! I startet reading it about a month ago and I’m completely hooked!! I have a PowerPoint file for organizing my clothes now – love it!! Thanks so much!!
    Sandra

    Reply
  26. Cherry says

    May 14, 2019 at 3:13 pm

    My son painted my portrait years ago and was lucky to be given permission to exhibit in the green room of the National Theatre in London where he worked. My portrait sold and I often wonder if it is still hanging over somebody’s settee somewhere in the world.

    Reply
    • Janice says

      May 14, 2019 at 4:04 pm

      Oh my! That’s amazing…
      hugs,
      Janice

      Reply
  27. Elisabeth says

    May 14, 2019 at 5:05 pm

    Hope you’re feeling better quickly, Janice!

    Reply
  28. Kim says

    May 14, 2019 at 6:13 pm

    My favorite is the Countess de Janville! She looks like she knows every naughty thing you ever did, and she wants to be invited next time!

    Feel better soon, Janice.

    Reply
  29. Anon says

    May 14, 2019 at 8:16 pm

    All I can say is get your serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels tested.

    Reply
  30. Barb says

    May 14, 2019 at 10:05 pm

    Please take all the time you need to take care of yourself and know that I appreciate your posts. What lovely ladies you had for us today…still trying to pick my favorite!

    Reply
  31. Lisa Ham says

    May 15, 2019 at 1:53 pm

    I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been ill. Thank you for posting these lovely paintings. Hope you feel much better soon!

    Reply

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The Vivienne Files is a unique personal style blog with carefully-selected capsule wardrobes based on color palettes drawn from works of art, nature, and more. It helps women buy less clothing, and to love what they buy. Read more...
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