In John Singer Sargent's original painting titled ‘The portrait of Madame X’ (which this one is based upon), the strap was painted as though it had fallen down onto her arm - but was repositioned onto her shoulder as it was considered too provocative. The art world is full of nude people and I've always felt it interesting... the line between a naked body and a nude one. For this portrait of my wife I re-re positioned the strap.