Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun was charming, witty, and a brilliant portrait painter. Known for her sensitivity and ability to capture the essence of a personality through facial expression and symbolism within the painting, her portraits were fresh and inviting.
My first acquaintance with Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun was through the book by Kate Williams (a veritable page turner) “England’s Mistress: The Infamous Life of Emma Hamilton.”
Élisabeth Vigée-Le Brun – portrait of Marguerite Porporati – 1792
Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun’s “Life Study of Lady Hamilton as the Cumaean Sybil” was completed in 1792. The painting now resides in the Met Museum.
Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun Painted over 600 portraits and 200 landscapes. She was a powerhouse. I have included an excellent video by the National Galleries that I know you will enjoy.
ChasingART 
I am glad this painting was part of our Art Calendar. This post has given the life story of one of history’s most famous women artists, what a treat! ! Thank you for sharing the video! I can not imagine how she could have painted so many outstanding works of art and beginning from such an early age! Many of them are displayed for Art lovers all over the world.
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Elisabeth was a powerhouse. I have found her memoirs and will enjoy seeing the world through her eyes. What adventures she had! Stay tuned for your 2022 art calendar. It has been delivered.
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Isn’t this just the most beautiful painting, Rebecca. You know so much about art and I am delighted I can learn from you.
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I have come very late to art, Robbie and I am making up for last time. I first met Elisabeth when I read the book “Englands Mistress” which was non-fiction which read like fiction. And then I met up with Elisabeth when I read Evelyn Lever’s book “Marie Antoinette, The Last Queen of France.” Another page turner!! Isn’t it interesting the intersection of art, history and stories. Many thanks for your visit and comments – always enjoy our conversations.
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That is interesting, Rebecca. I do know some artworks, but mainly the greats. I have books on van Gogh and Rembrandt. Marie Antoinette’s story would be interesting. She got a lot of bad press, didn’t she?
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She did, indeed! Her story was heartbreaking, but provided vivid detail of these historical moments.
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Such exquisite work – that face!!
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I agree wholeheartedly, Liz. Elisabeth captured the emotional nuance of her subject. There was a delicacy to her painting, an attention to detail that mesmerizes the viewer….
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This is a beauty! Watched some of the video. Will be back towatch all of it, later.
Thank you, Rebecca!
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Thank you for stopping by, Resa. Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun was a kindred spirit! I just found her memoirs and am looking forward to reading more about her life!
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How beautiful! The artist is new to me. Thank you for the introduction.
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You will LOVE her paintings and life story, Cindy. She is indeed a kindred spirit. One of my favourite paintings is “Marie Antionette and her children.”
I read somewhere that the empty crib symbolized the coming of a new baby. It seems that Marie Antionette was pregnant when this portrait was painted.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89lisabeth_Vig%C3%A9e_Le_Brun#/media/File%3AMarie_Antoinette_and_her_Children_by_%C3%89lisabeth_Vig%C3%A9e-Lebrun.joined
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Thank you, Rebecca, for spotlighting this immensely talented and prolific painter.
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Dave – what a powerhouse! Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun approached life with courage and with determination. While we may think our “glass ceiling” is thick, I imagine that Elisabeth’s ceiling was granite. But she didn’t even know that a ceiling existed. She is a true kindred spirit. I just found her memoirs on Gutenberg press – public domain. VERY interesting.
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Oh, she definitely was a powerhouse! Thank you for sharing this beautiful painter’s work! Many hugs!
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I am so glad that you enjoyed this painting and video, Marina. I am looking forward to learning more about her from her memoirs, which I just found on Gutenberg press. I continue to learn and learn and learn. The package arrived and has come safe home. Many thanks and much love coming your way.
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Oh, and I hope you share this information with us too!!!
So happy it’s come home!
More love your way!!!
🤗❤
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Hugs and more hugs!
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🤗🌷
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