Memoirs of Madame Vigee Lebrun

After Researching Some French Ancestory ,I Stumbled Upon A Self Portrait Of Elizabeth Vigee Lebrun At The Age Of 53 .I Was Shocked To See How Much She Resembles Me.Since The Discovery I Have Wanted To Know More About Her .I Truly Got To Know Vigee Lebrun Through Her Memoirs.This Was Really A Great Book.

As an artist myself, I was fascinated by Vigee Lebrun's very prolific and successful career. This book does not go into her training or working techniques very much, however it does talk about specific paintings and conditions under which she worked. What was very interesting was her description of the French and Russian aristocracy during the years that lead to their death and destruction. I enjoyed reading about them from the point of view of someone who not only worked with those people, but counted them as close friends.

I bought this book on a whim, and am tremendously happy that I did- It has become a touchstone and a favorite. Mme. Vigee Lebrun's voice is incredible- filled with warmth, humor, charm... her optimism and determination in the face of overwhelming adversity is admirable to say the least (the deaths of family, friends, patrons to the Revolution, the loss of her home, possessions... even her income to gambling-addict husband)... I cannot believe that there are not more books or historical entries amassed to such a phenomenal talent, a remarkable woman!

This memoir by 18th-century French painter Elizabeth Vigee-Lebrun (one of only two women admitted to the French Academy at that time) reads like a romance novel (in the best sense)! Follow Madame Vigee-Lebrun as she creates portraits of Marie Antoinette, endures the tribulations of an arranged marriage, flees to Russia to escape the Revolution's guillotine, and returns to paint portraits of (and gossip about) a new court ruled by Napoleon. It's hard to tell how strictly truthful Madame was, but her exciting life makes for a fascinating read, especially for artistic women.