I see pictures and portraits as two very similar types of art. In the article Every Portrait Tells A Lie, Debra Brehmer brings up a great point that a picture is just “participating in a history that was manufactured.”
A picture is often taken after one is ready and posing for the camera, likewise a portrait requires one to pose in a certain position that they desire to create a scene that they envisioned. We do not know what happened before, after, or even during the picture but what we do know is what the person intended to draw. Brehmer defines a portrait as something that “is always a deceased moment. It’s gone, but remains.” That is a very interesting statement because a portrait is meant to depict a certain person at that time, place, and setting yet even as the moment is passed the painting itself will still remain and stay in the moment. As Brehmer says, “Portraiture wants what cannot be had: Life to stop without being dead.” Similarly, this would also pertain to a picture, even though the moment has passed it is now captured at that moment and only in that picture will the moment remain still. Portraits and Pictures create a screenshot of a situation, person, place, and etc.
John Singer Sargent is a well known artist. His works range from style to style and contain a certain artists art styles in them. Sarah Churchwell states in her article, “How John Singer made a scene,” that is seemed as if John was ahead of his time. I agree that John’s art style and artwork may have been ahead of his time. Madam X for example, was criticized greatly back then for its bold and vulgar representation. If created now, there would not have been as big of a reaction to the painting. 
I think its very important that Sargent is getting the credit he deserves for “making a scene”, because, as you said, he was criticized greatly for his artwork, that today is highly regarded and very respected. Madam X, which is one of the artworks that he is best known by, is a great example at that. He either received much disapproval or praise for the modernity of his work.
It is interesting how you point out that Madam X was criticized greatly back then for its bold and vulgar representation, but if created now there would not have any backlash. Do you think that means the art world as progressed or digressed? One could argue that art should be held to the highest elegance standards, or you could advocate that elegance in art is nonsense and art should be only the feelings of the creator.
I like how you mentioned Debra Brehmer’s quote that a picture is just “participating in a history that was manufactured.” It definitely defines the whole idea behind a portrait- the artist is the one who decides what emotion the person will have. It is whatever the artist interprets that we will be able to see when looking at a portrait.