Synopses & Reviews
The foremost woman artist of her age, Elisabeth Vigand#233;e Le Brun (1755and#151;1842) exerted her considerable charm to become the friend, and then official portraitist, of Marie Antoinette. Though profitable, this role made Vigand#233;e Le Brun a public and controversial figure, and in 1789 it precipitated her exile. In a Europe torn by strife and revolution, she nevertheless managed to thrive as an independent, self-supporting artist, doggedly setting up studios in Rome, Naples, Venice, Milan, Vienna, St. Petersburg, and London. Long overlooked or dismissed, Vigand#233;e Le Brunand#8217;s portraits now hang in the Louvre, in a room of their own, as well as in all leading art museums of the world.This gripping biography tells the story of a singularly gifted and high-spirited woman during the revolutionary era and explores the development and significance of her art. The book also recounts the public and private lives of Elisabeth Vigand#233;e Le Brun, connectingand#160; her with such personalities of her age as Catherine the Great, Napoleon, and Benjamin Franklin, and setting her experiences in the context of contemporary European politics and culture. A generous selection of illustrations, including sixteen of Vigand#233;e Le Brunand#8217;s portraits presented in full color, completes this exceptional volume.
Review
and#8220;A well-written and engaging introduction to the life, times, and art of Elisabeth Vigand#233;e Le Brun, certainly the most traveled and most cosmopolitan artist of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic period. Mayand#8217;s enthusiasm for her subject and sympathetic treatment of her
Memoires provide a compelling narrative and bring into sharper focus the remarkable energy and ambition of Marie Antoinetteand#8217;s most talented portraitist.and#8221;and#8212;Colin B. Bailey, Chief Curator, The Frick Collection
andnbsp;
Review
and#8220;This is a sparkling book and a wonderful read for anyone interested in the French Revolution, Marie Antoinette, or French art and history. Gita May tells the colorful story of a woman who was a monarchist in her political views but, in her personal life, a revolutionary.and#8221;and#8212;Susan Dunn, Professor of Humanities, Williams College
Review
"Follows a strict chronological focus and is written in a direct, engaging manner.andnbsp; Highly recommended."
Synopsis
The story of Marie Antoinette's portraitist, a remarkable woman living in dangerous times
The foremost woman artist of her age, Elisabeth Vig e Le Brun (1755--1842) exerted her considerable charm to become the friend, and then official portraitist, of Marie Antoinette. Though profitable, this role made Vig e Le Brun a public and controversial figure, and in 1789 it precipitated her exile. In a Europe torn by strife and revolution, she nevertheless managed to thrive as an independent, self-supporting artist, doggedly setting up studios in Rome, Naples, Venice, Milan, Vienna, St. Petersburg, and London. Long overlooked or dismissed, Vig e Le Brun's portraits now hang in the Louvre, in a room of their own, as well as in all leading art museums of the world.
This gripping biography tells the story of a singularly gifted and high-spirited woman during the revolutionary era and explores the development and significance of her art. The book also recounts the public and private lives of Elisabeth Vig e Le Brun, connecting her with such personalities of her age as Catherine the Great, Napoleon, and Benjamin Franklin, and setting her experiences in the context of contemporary European politics and culture. A generous selection of illustrations, including sixteen of Vig e Le Brun's portraits presented in full color, completes this exceptional volume.
Synopsis
The story of Marie Antoinetteand#8217;s portraitist, a remarkable woman living in dangerous times
About the Author
Gita May is professor of French literature, Columbia University. She has taught and published extensively on late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century French literature, art, and culture.