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
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Helen says
May 13, 2019 at 4:28 amFeel well soon, Janice! Sending healing thoughts and prayers. How kind of you to share, in the meantime, such wonderfully expressive and beautifully colored portraits!
S says
May 13, 2019 at 5:12 amI 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!
Sharon says
May 13, 2019 at 5:13 amThank 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.
Laura says
May 13, 2019 at 5:38 amFeel better soon! And you know you can take a break if you need to!! Wonderful fabrics in those portraits—-
Elyse says
May 13, 2019 at 5:51 amSpring is really the worst for my fibro…lots of healing energy being sent your way!
Norma says
May 13, 2019 at 7:30 amJanice, 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.
Lee says
May 13, 2019 at 7:41 amHope 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?
Janice says
May 13, 2019 at 9:22 amI’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
Sarah says
May 13, 2019 at 2:23 pmI 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!
patval says
May 13, 2019 at 8:12 amSo 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
Hélène G. says
May 13, 2019 at 8:22 amI’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
Lisa P says
May 13, 2019 at 8:24 amI’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!
Shrebee says
May 13, 2019 at 9:26 amJanice,
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 !
Carol says
May 13, 2019 at 9:26 amHope you are feeling better soon. Thank you for sharing these lovely portraits.
Taste of France says
May 13, 2019 at 9:28 amGet 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.
Deborah Singh-Boos says
May 13, 2019 at 12:02 pmI 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.
Camille says
May 13, 2019 at 12:25 pmHope you feel better fast!!!!
Sheri says
May 13, 2019 at 12:57 pmTake care of yourself! That’s the most important thing! Appreciate the post!!
Lucretia Roletta says
May 13, 2019 at 2:30 pmI hope you feel better soon.
Thanks for the lovely pictures. I’m excited to learn more about this painter.
Deb Ryan says
May 13, 2019 at 2:33 pmHello
Sending good vibes and healing energy.
Deb from Vancouver
Sarah says
May 13, 2019 at 2:34 pmGet well soon! In art as in life the yellow and black is calling me.
Ingrid says
May 13, 2019 at 3:30 pmI am so sorry that you are ill. I wish you feel better soon. Thank you for your posts. You are a true inspiration!
Margot says
May 14, 2019 at 1:01 amQuite beautiful portraits! Dear Janice, I hope you feel better soon. As others have said, please take whatever break you need to.
Dreamingoffashion says
May 14, 2019 at 3:56 amHope you feel better soon! Thank you for all you do on this lovely site.
BeeeBeee says
May 14, 2019 at 4:56 amI’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.
Deb says
May 14, 2019 at 7:14 amDear 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!).
Janice says
May 14, 2019 at 7:31 amAh, 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
Amanda R says
May 14, 2019 at 3:31 pmI 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!
Sandra says
May 14, 2019 at 11:37 amDear 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
Cherry says
May 14, 2019 at 3:13 pmMy 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.
Janice says
May 14, 2019 at 4:04 pmOh my! That’s amazing…
hugs,
Janice
Elisabeth says
May 14, 2019 at 5:05 pmHope you’re feeling better quickly, Janice!
Kim says
May 14, 2019 at 6:13 pmMy 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.
Anon says
May 14, 2019 at 8:16 pmAll I can say is get your serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels tested.
Barb says
May 14, 2019 at 10:05 pmPlease 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!
Lisa Ham says
May 15, 2019 at 1:53 pmI’m sorry to hear that you’ve been ill. Thank you for posting these lovely paintings. Hope you feel much better soon!