Revolutionary France's Remarkable Portraitist: Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun with Dr. Timea Andrea Lelik

Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun was regarded as one of the greatest portraitists of her time by well-known contemporary artists such as Joshua Reynolds, who compared her to the old Dutch masters. At age 15 she was already painting the French aristocracy contributing to her family’s income; by the age of 19, her works had gained so much attention that her painting materials were seized because she’d been operating as a professional artist without guild or academy membership; however, by the age of 20, she had successfully established herself as a painter at the royal court. By becoming Marie Antoinette's official portrait painter, she made a name for herself in Ancien Régime society. 

In the aftermath of the bloody French Revolution, she nevertheless went into exile with her daughter July, fearing the consequences of her strong association with the infamous and fallen Queen. Even abroad and following the Revolution, European nobility and royalty continued to commission her works, which were notable for their emotional tenor, transforming her into one of the most successful portrait painters of the time.

Through a comprehensive but accessible introduction to her oeuvre, we will explore Vigée Le Brun’s role and contribution to Western art history. While analyzing autobiographical information to better grasp the inspiration sources of this complex artist, we will proceed to an in-depth analysis of her most important portraits such as those depicting Marie Antoinette and the manner in which she was crafting the queen’s public image.

Led by an expert on Western art history and published author, Dr. Timea Andrea Lelik, this interactive seminar will explore the contribution of this great artist to art history. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased appreciation and understanding of the works of Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun and her world-famous portraits of the aristocracy.