Souvenirs of Madame Vigée Le Brun

This two-volume autobiography of painter Élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun was published in France in 1835–7, and in English in 1879.

Louise-Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun (Author)

9781108080750, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 12 November 2015

334 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.9 cm, 0.43 kg

The most accomplished female painter of her age, Élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun (1755–1842) is best remembered for her many portraits of Queen Marie Antoinette of France. Her two-volume autobiography was published in France in 1835–7, and this English version (of which the translator is unknown) in 1879. It begins with a series of ten letters to a Russian friend, Princess Kourakin, describing her family and early life, her artistic training, and her rise to the position of portraitist to the queen. The letters end with the Revolution and Vigée-Lebrun's flight abroad: the 'souvenirs' which follow describe her years of exile and her eventual return to France. Throughout her life, she supported herself and her family by her painting. Volume 1 ends with her staying in Austria, after a tour of the cities of Italy, during which she studied art as well as participating in the life of high society.

Part I: 1. My childhood
2. Death of my father
3. My walks
4. My marriage
5. The queen
6. Voyage to Flanders
7. The Greek supper
8. Le Kain
9. Chantilly
10. The duc de Nivernais
11. Romainville
12. 1789
Part II: 1. Turin
2. Rome
3. Portraits done in Rome
4. Piazza of St Peter's
5. I leave for Naples
6. The Baron Talleyrand
7. I return to Rome
8. I leave Rome
9. Venice
10. Turin
11. The comtesse de Thoun and her soirées
12. Portraits I took in Vienna
13. Huitzing.

Subject Areas: The arts: general issues [AB]