Vigée Le Brun: Friend of the Aristocracy, Foe of the People

18th century French portrait artist Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun is best known for her portraiture of the French aristocracy. Her reputation as a talented artist and connections to the art world catapulted Vigée Le Brun to success. She was eventually commissioned to paint Queen Marie-Antoinette. Upon their meeting, the two women forged a friendship that opened many doors for Vigée Le Brun within the French aristocracy and the French art world, eliminating many barriers she had once faced because of her gender. As a result, Vigée Le Brun met Marie Charlotte Louise Perrette Aglaé Bontemps, the sitter of the portrait Comtesse de la Châtre.

Credits

Ritamarie Pepe