The Sapphic Singer (Press, 15 July 1978)
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Summary: The Sapphic Singer (Press, 15 July 1978)
The biography "The Food of Love: Princesse Edmond de Polignac (1865-1943) and her Salon," written by Michael de Cossart and reviewed by Stephen Erber, explores the life of Winnaretta Singer, a notable figure in the arts who was also a princess and a millionaire. Born in 1865 to sewing machine magnate Isaac Singer, she was part of a large family, with her father having numerous children both in and out of wedlock. Following her father's death, all his surviving children, including Winnaretta, became wealthy. Winnaretta had a tumultuous youth, escaping an unhappy home life through a hastily arranged marriage that was annulled due to her persistent homosexuality. She later found a genuine partnership with Prince de Polignac, who shared her intellectual and artistic interests and was also an open homosexual. Their marriage was marked by love and respect, but tragically, the Prince passed away after seven years, leaving Winnaretta heartbroken. Throughout her life, Winnaretta established a prestigious salon in Paris, attracting an impressive array of artists, musicians, and writers, including giants such as Ravel, Debussy, Diaghilev, Stravinsky, Picasso, and Proust. She used her wealth to support these artists, driven by her passion for their work rather than a desire for social stature. Despite facing criticism and competition from others in society, she confidently asserted her own value and the significance of her contributions. While the biography is engaging, Erber critiques de Cossart for the overwhelming number of names included without sufficient context, which may be confusing for readers unfamiliar with that era's intellectual landscape. He also notes the lack of deep personal insight into Winnaretta's character, due in part to the destruction of her personal records posthumously. As a result, the portrayal feels somewhat limited, leaving readers with a narrow view of her life and the wider significance of her salon. Despite these shortcomings, the review acknowledges that the biography offers a unique and captivating account of a remarkable woman who played a critical role in the cultural milieu of her time, demonstrating the complexity and richness of her contributions to the arts.
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