| Method | Copper engraving |
| Artist | Johann Gotthard von Müller after Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun |
| Published | c. 1780 |
| Dimensions | Image 415 x 288 mm, Sheet 440 x 310 mm |
| Notes |
A proof before letters of Johann Gotthard von Müller's engraving of Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun's renowned self-portrait. The portrait shows Le Brun in an oval, the plinth it sits on baring objects relating to Le Brun's life including a laurel wreath intertwined with roses, alluding to her connections with the French royal family and specifically Marie Antoinette. Le Brun is seen standing looking directly at the viewer, an artist's palette and brushes in her right hand. She wears a straw hat decorated with flowers and a feather, her hair is loose beneath, soft ringlets on her shoulders. Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun (1755–1842) was one of the most celebrated portrait artists of 18th-century France. Renowned for her exceptional skill, she created over 800 paintings during her lifetime, including portraits of European royalty, aristocrats, and notable cultural figures. Born in Paris, Élisabeth grew up in an artistic family, her father, Louis Vigée, was a portrait painter who encouraged her talents from a young age. She began formal training as a teenager and quickly gained recognition for her ability to capture the likeness of her subjects. Her career flourished, and she became one of the few women admitted to prestigious art institutions of the time. Her most significant career breakthrough came when she was appointed court painter to Queen Marie Antoinette. Over the years, she painted over 30 portraits of the Queen, depicting her in various roles, both regal and personal. These paintings helped define the Queen's image and solidified Le Brun's reputation as a sought-after artist. During the French Revolution, her close ties to the monarchy made her a target, and she fled France in 1789. She spent the next several years traveling through Europe, continuing her artistic career in various places including Italy, Austria, and Russia. Her works were highly regarded across the continent, and she gained patronage from notable figures, including Catherine the Great of Russia. Le Brun eventually returned to France in 1802, after the political climate stabilised. She continued painting and went on to publish memoirs, which offered insight into her life, art, and encounters with prominent figures of her era. Johann Gotthard von Müller (1747-1830) was a German engraver. Born near Stuttgart, von Müller originally trained to join the church however developed a skill in engraving whilst attending academy of fine arts. He went on to further study in Paris in 1770, where for six years he studied under the the art dealer and engraver Johann Wille. He was elected a member of the French Academy in the 1770s. He returned to Stuttgart in later life where he became professor of engraving, was elected a member of the principal European academies, and was knighted in 1818. He trained his son, Johann Friedrich as a line engraver. Le Blanc 18 ii/iii Condition: Laid to album page. Toning from previous mount. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £800.00 |
| Stock ID | 53351 |