Female Artists in History – Louise Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun

Born in 1755, France, Louise was a famous portrait painter during the Rococo Period in France. Even as a teenager Louise had already commanded a large group of wealthy clientele who wanted her to paint their portrait.

She became Marie Antoinette’s personal portrait painter having painted the queen and her family more than 30 times. It was with Marie Antoinette’s help that Vigee Le Brun was able to attend an art school as one of only four women admitted. Louise was highly regarded in France for her light and bright colours and flattering depictions of her subjects.

During the French Revolution Louise had to escape France due to her ties to Royalty. Her citizenship revoked and her husband made to divorce her Louise and her daughter travelled the continent. She painted Aristocrats through Europe until her return to France where she was reunited with her husband and her French Citizenship. She continued to paint until her death in 1842.

Created by: Alessia