Self Portrait of Madame Le Brun

Unknown artist
Oil on wood
38.75 x 32.25 in.
Byers Collection
This painting is a reproduction by an unknown artist of Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun’s self-portrait from 1790. Born in Paris in 1755, Vigée Le Brun (1755–1842) was renowned for her portraiture, particularly of prominent figures at the French court during the Napoleonic era. Her artistic style is generally regarded as a transition from the Rococo tradition to the emerging Neoclassical aesthetic.
In her youth, Vigée Le Brun was a close friend and confidante of Queen Marie Antoinette, who served as both muse and patron. Over the course of her career, she painted more than thirty portraits of the queen and her family. She is especially notable for being among the first portrait artists to depict women smiling—a bold and unconventional choice at the time. Vigée Le Brun went on to become one of the most successful female artists in history, with her works housed in many of the world’s most prestigious museums.
This painting was conserved by Kaukab Merchant of the Des Moines Women’s Club in 2025.