Art History Lecture Series | Madame X Speaks

London, April 1915: Prompted by the generosity of her old friend John Singer Sargent, who recently raised $50,000 for the Red Cross through the donation of a portrait, Virginie Gautreau gives a lantern slide presentation recounting her experience as Sargent’s model for the notorious painting Madame X. Don’t miss lecturer Rebecca Albiani’s transformation into this fascinating historical character.

About the Art History Lecture Series

The Frye Art Museum presents a new season of lectures by art historian Rebecca Albiani, exploring masterpieces of world art, and offering pivotal context to deepen understanding of works on view at the Frye.

About the Instructor

Rebecca Albiani has been an arts lecturer at the Frye Art Museum since 1997. A former Graduate Lecturing Fellow at the National Gallery in Washington D.C., and a Fulbright Scholar in Venice, she holds an MA from Stanford University and a BA from the University of California, Berkeley.

A formal portrait painting of a woman in a black dress with thin straps and a plunging neckline. Her face is turned to the side.

John Singer Sargent. Madame X (Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau), 1883–84. Oil on canvas. 82 1/8 × 43 1/4 in. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Arthur Hoppock Hearn Fund, 1916 (16.53).

May 13, 2027

11:30 am–12:30 pm

Frye Art Museum
704 Terry Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104

2026–27 Art History Lecture Series Ticket Prices and Tiers:

Individual Tickets
Members: $15
Non-members: $20
Students: $10

Individual in-person tickets are available on the day of the lecture and cannot be purchased in advance. Individual tickets must be purchased in-person with a credit or debit card; cash is not accepted. Recordings of lectures will be available for purchase shortly after lecture date.

In-person Series Pass
Members: $150
Non-members: $200
Students: $100

Recording Only Series Pass
Members: $140
Non-members: $190
Students: $90

Please note, as of October 1, 2025, live presentations are subject to retail sales tax in Washington state. This includes Art History Lecture Series passes, individual in-person tickets, and lecture recordings. All purchases made after this date will include sales tax.

Ticketing Policies:

Registration
You may purchase a series pass in advance of the start of the season or at any point during the season while supplies last. Individual tickets for the in-person lectures are not available in advance, but can be purchased in person on a first come first served basis.

Confirmation
Registration is confirmed by email.

Cancellation
The Frye Art Museum reserves the right to cancel any lecture. If the Museum cancels a course or class, a full prorated refund will be issued. Questions? Contact learning@fryemuseum.org

Accessibility Information for Auditorium Events

The Frye’s galleries, restrooms, and facilities are designed in accordance with ADA specifications. Two designated load/unload spaces are located at the main Terry Ave entrance, as well as two additional spaces at the Columbia St doors.

A ramp leads visitors to the museum’s front entrance, where power-assisted doors are available. The museum’s galleries, Auditorium, Café, and Store are located on a single floor. Four wheelchair-accessible spaces are available in the Auditorium.

Assistive listening devices are available upon request for all programs and events in the Auditorium. A new set of ear buds is provided for each use. Please ask a staff member for assistance upon check-in.

Care professionals and care partners who accompany visitors are welcome to join programs and events free of charge. Care partner registration is encouraged—for paid programs, or if the event is at capacity, please email learning@fryemuseum.org.

Learn more about accessibility at the Frye or contact visitorservices@fryemuseum.org for more information.