"I misread the title of this new account of the life and art of Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun (1755-1842) as "Darling" and thus, momentarily, feared it would perpetuate the caricature of the French portraitist as mere society painter. Thankfully, Daring forms part of an ongoing re-evaluation of Vigée Le Brun as an innovative, significant artist. Moreover, in targeting the young adult (YA) market, it will assist in wrenching art history from those patriarchs of the 20th century who gave women painters short shrift."
"Pomeroy describes her dealing with this and other hurdles through "talent, persistence and independence". In a language and format tailored to the sound-bite generation, Pomeroy's narrative hops from one biographical stepping stone to the next, its text concise and signposted."
Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun emerges as an innovative and significant artist rather than a mere society portraitist. Her career began at Versailles, continued with exile from Revolutionary France, extensive travel during the Napoleonic wars, and influential work at the Russian court. She faced considerable sexual prejudice, including critics crediting her work to her lodger, François Guillaume Ménageot. Talent, persistence and independence sustained professional resilience. Re-evaluation aims to correct patriarchal neglect and connect with younger readers. Eighteenth-century paintings serve as portals to broader historical context while concise, image-focused presentation highlights key biographical moments.
Read at The Art Newspaper - International art news and events
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