An Artist Extraordinaire

Andrea here, As some of you might know, I occasionally enjoy weaving real-life people into my historical mystery novels when I feel their presence adds depth and texture to the story. Sometimes they are prominent in the plot, and sometimes they are merely used as a passing reference to add a flash of color.

I have a new Arianna mystery nearly finished. It’s set in St. Petersburg, and my research into detail about the glittering Russian Imperial Court turned up the fact that Elizabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, the French portrait artist, was hugely popular with the Russian aristocracy. Indeed, it was considered a status symbol to have one’s portrait painted by her. So I threw this in as a tiny detail . . . (see portraits below)

As research details are wont to do, it turned out this little snippet led me where I hadn’t really planned to go. A recent visit to Met Museum in NYC (one of my favorite places in the world!) to see the reorganized galleries on European paintings brought me face to face with Vigée Le Brun's art, as one of her self-portraits was featured prominently in the 18th-early19th century galleries. (see top left. I also love the one on the right—isn't the red sash fabulous?) The reorganizing by the Met is part of its efforts to modernize its view of “great” art and broaden the traditional canon to include artists who because of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or other “differences” weren’t seen as “important” in past eras.

It’s really exciting to see the works that now hang on the Met’s hallowed walls and to read the stories of the artists who have for too long been relegated to the shadows of history. Now, Vigée Le Brun wasn’t an unknown in her time—she was the most famous woman artist of her day. Still, in reading about her and accomplishments on the descriptions of the art, I was struck by what an amazing person she was, and what an amazing life she led. (She certainly wasn’t mentioned in any detail in any of my college art history courses. I hope that has changed!)

Her self-portraits really captivated me, so I did a little research on her and thought I would share some highlights——both in words and in images—on this extraordinary artist and independent-minded woman who dared to live life on her own terms.

Born in 1755, she first learned the art of painting from her father, Louis Vigée, who was fan painter as well as a portrait painter. But after her father’s death when she was twelve years old, she was self-taught, and by her early teens was painting portraits professionally.

In 1776 she married Jean-Baptiste-Pierre Le Brun, a fellow painter and one of the top art dealers in Paris. Through husband’s connections—his great-great uncle was Charles Le Brun, head of the French Academy under Louis XIV, she began to receive prestigious commissions, and soon was favored with the patronage of Queen Marie Antoinette. The unofficial portraitist of the Queen and her family, Vigée Le Brun created more than 30 paintings of them.

A trip through Flanders and the Netherlands introduced her to the Flemish masters (her famous self-portrait in a straw hat, shown at the top of the blog, was inspired by La Chapeau de Paille by Peter Paul Rubens) and her technique and style continued to develop and impress both her peers and the public. She was admitted to the prestigious Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture, the first of many acceptances into elite art societies that she would garner over her illustrious career.

Her connection to Marie Antoinette (above) forced her into exile when the French Revolution broke out (her husband remained in Paris), but she thrived as she traveled throughout Europe, earning accolades and acclaim in Italy, Austria, Russia and Germany. (Among her many portraits, she painted the notorious Emma Hamilton as a Bacchante, shown on the right)

Vigée Le Brun was allowed to return to France in 1802, but continued to travel, spending time in London and Switzerland. She lived to the ripe old age of 86, and I can’t think of an individual who is more deserving of that iconic phrase “a life well lived.”

The Met says this about Vigée Le Brun’s work: “She was remarkable not only for her technical gifts but for her understanding of and sympathy with her sitters.” For me, her humanity and sense of warmth and joie de vivre resonate from her portraits. They capture a very special spirit of individuality, and looking at them makes me smile, as well as feel an admiration for an amazingly talented, strong and courageous woman.

What about you? Do you have any favorite artists whose works make you smile or simply brighten your mood when you’re feeling down? Please share!

Comments

[Joanna Novins]

Thanks for this snippet, absolutely adore her work!

[Kareni]

I was not familiar with this artist's work, so thank you for the introduction, Andrea.

One artist whose work I admire is Michael Atkinson; many of his works contain a lot of white space. You can see some of his art here ~ https://www.invaluable.com/artist/atkinson-michael-ridx1eubi9/sold-at-auction-prices/

[Andrea Penrose]

Isn't see fabulous! I just really adore portraits. (She looks like she would have been a very fun person with whom to "hang out!"

[Andrea Penrose]

So glad you enjoyed the post, Kareni.

I can see why you admire Atkinson.I like his sensibilty, too.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Thank you, Andrea. I've never seen so much of her work at one time. She really was brilliant.

[Sue McCormick]

I knew she existed, but I wasn't aware of all this. St. Louis's art museum isn't up to the Met in size or anything else, but it DOES have a fairly good collection. I don't believe they told us about Vigee LeBrun when I attended the Satirday programs there in the 30s; I hope they've become more open. (Alas, those programs are no longer with us, killed by the continuing inflation this nation keeps facing.)

As to favorite artists, I love so-o-o many. I will recall an artistic work (if it is in my collection "art books") pull it out and admire it for a while. A bit later, another artist calls to me.

[Andrea Penrose]

Yes, really brilliant. But what I love too is how her personality shines through in her self=portraits. She would have been a fabulous Wench

[Andrea Penrose]

Sue, Vigee Le Brun has been neglected in SO many gallery talks. That's just now beginning to change as more women artists are getting their due as creative talents, not just 'muses' to the men!

I totally agree about there being SO many artists that resonate. It's lovely to have that many visuals which serve to inspire and soothe the spirit

[Mary Jo Putney]

Kareni, I looked at Atkinson's work and you're right--he's terrific. An artist of the West....

[Mary Jo Putney]

Andrea, you're right--she would have been great to sit around a fire while we all drank wine!

[Andrea Penrose]

Absolutely! She would have great stories to tell, and it looks like she had a great smile and a twinkle in her eye, which makes me think she probably had a great sense of humor.

[Christina Courtenay]

She was so talented! I'm really glad she was allowed to paint and given recognition for her work. My all time favourite artist is Anthony van Dyck - I just adore his portraits!

[Andrea Penrose]

Oh, I'm a HUGE van Dyke fan, Christina. I adore his portraits. The Frick Museum in NYC had a major show on him several years ago and it was spectacular!

[Faith Freewoman]

What a lovely, inspiring success story.

And if you and Mary Jo do get to sit around the fire sharing drinks, jokes and success stories, can I come too?

Cheers, Faith

[Patricia Franzino]

Frederick Edwin Church is one of the artists I admire. His beautiful landscapes of early America are so peaceful in the grandeur of earth and sky he painted.

I saw the exhibit at the Met years ago of Vigee Le Brun paintings. What a remarkable artist she was in capturing the spontaneity of her subjects.

[Andrea Penrose]

Glad you enjoyed it, Faith. And you are definitely invited to the night wine and conversation! The more, the merrier!

[Andrea Penrose]

Patricia, you're so right about her capturing the spontaneity of her subjects. They seem so alive!

Church is a marvelous artist, and his landscapes really do have a sense of peace and grandeur.

[Annette N]

Thanks for the lovely post. I had heard of her, but never actually seen so much of her work. She was a heck of an artist.

I love most of the impressionists. I love much of Tiffany's stained glass works....I saw an iris window and it was breathtaking. I wanted to sit and stare for hours.

I think one of my favorite artists is Mary Cassatt. She painted a lot of women and children. She used an attitude of casual life in her portraits. And most of her pictures seemed to have light. It is possible that she and Degas had a long standing affair. But, it is also possible they simply loved one another for who they were as artists. He helped her grow as an artist.

It is a truth about me, that most of the Impressionist's pictures I have seen in person have made me weep. I like art and so much of it touches me. I wish that I had been blessed with the ability to draw more than stick figures.

I hope everyone is well and safe and happy.

[Michelle H]

What a marvelous post, Andrea. I knew a little about Vigee Le Brun but you discovered so much more! I only recently became interested in her but I've lost my train of discovery, I think it may be because I found out it was a woman who painted Marie Antoinette's famous portrait. I've even got a Pinterest page devoted to Le Brun a sub-section of my women artists section. She does indeed seem like a wonderful person to know.

Oh, my. The question about what kind of art that makes me smile or brightens my mood makes my head kind of implode. Ha!

I have favorite paintings from each artist that I fell in love with over the years, and if I don't actually pour over a single artist's work at any given time there's always 'that one', from Monet to Van Gogh, to Turner to the Hudson School artists, to O'Keefe or.... The first painter or painting I fell in love with was a Hopper I saw in the local museum where I lived growing up. I was maybe 4th or 5th grade at the time. I was mesmerized and stared at it for a long time and went back to it when I could until the teacher corralled us. Since it was there in town I could ride the bus downtown, walk to campus and go to the museum by myself, which I did for years. That was 'Room In New York,' which I never thought of as depressing as it was frequently described to me. Those reasons would take up a page so I won't go there. We've had the privilege of visiting a number of museums over the years and I'm pining away to be able to do that kind of traveling and museum visiting again.

I kind of get interested in an artist as I happen to be exposed to them. I've 'collected' a lot of early 19th century portraits on one Pinterest page (evil place!!!) :)
And most recently have found a love for the genre painters of mid 19th century who painted a lot of late Georgian and Regency subjects as a fond 'look back at gentler times.' Nostalgia, in other words. I know they are somewhat unrealistic but I find them charming and I imagine it's possibly due to escape from the Pandemic that causes my continued interest.

I can't thank you enough for this post. I loved it!

[Michelle H]

Kareni, Atkinson is indeed an intriguing artist. Very beautiful works. Thank you so much for the link to his art.

[Michelle H]

Those genre paintings show up on a lot of Regency romance book covers. Another reason to love them.

[Andrea Penrose]

What wonderful choices, Annette. Stained glass can be mesmerizing, and the Impressionists . . .
they really do take your breath away. Matisse really resonates with me—even his late-life paper cut-outs have such joy and grace.

Mary Cassatt is another woman artist who is finally getting the respect she deserves. I think her peers acknowledged her genius but the art critics found it hard to give women their due.

[Andrea Penrose]

Thanks for such a thoughtful post, Michelle. Ilove your description of visiting the museum as a grade-schooler.I adored museums as a child, too. And I didn't find Hopper depressing. I loved his feeling of mystery and space.

I agree that asking who is your favorite artist is an impossible question! There are SO many magical artists, each one provoking a unique reaction. It's wonderful to experience them all!

[Benedicte Reiter]

Thank you for telling this wonderful stoy of a recognize, female painter in a male dominated age.
I am myself partial to Turner and the Danish Skagen painter. A group who portrayed life in the north of Denmark. They really managed to portray the special light present in that area.
Check them out. There were women among them, too.

[Karin]

I love Vigée Le Brun, and I hope to get to the Met someday soon. One of my favorites is Marc Chagall, every picture seems to tell a story. I especially love the ones he did of his wife, Bella.

[Jeanne Behnke]

Thanks Andrea! Loved the history and the wonderful pictures. I don't know that I have a favorite artist, but I love all the Pre-Raphaelite works. Of course, the women involved were so special themselves. As a lover of all thing Fairy, the work of Charlotte Bird has a place in my home.

[Andrea Penrose]

Thank so much for the recommendation, Benedicte, The Skagen painters sound wonderful. Nordic light is beautiful—will go check them out.

[Andrea Penrose]

Karin, you'll love the new look of the galleries.

Chagall's dream-like images really do tell stories!

[Andrea Penrose]

Jeanne, so glad you enjoyed Vigee Le Brun's art.

I'm a huge fan of the Pre-Raphaelites, too.

[Karenmc]

I happened upon Le Brun originals at the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth nearly forty years ago, and was gobsmacked by the casual directness in her subjects’ faces. I brought home a print of her early self portrait, which still hangs in my home office.