Born: April 16, 1755, Paris, France
Died: March 30, 1842, Paris
Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun was a French portraitist, who supported herself as an artist beginning at the age of 15. A painting of Marie-Antoinette (1779, Versailles), the first of many Vigée-Lebrun did of the queen, established her reputation. In 1783, she became a member of the Académie Royale. During the French Revolution (1789-1799), Vigée-Lebrun travelled throughout Europe, establishing an international reputation. The subjects of her works during this period included many members of the nobility. A prodigious worker, Vigée-Lebrun is thought to have painted more than 800 canvases. Among the best known is her 1789 self-portrait with her daughter (Louvre, Paris). Her style combined rococo grace and delicacy with neo-classical ideals of simplicity and purity.
