Self Portrait Blog - A

Self Portrait with Daughter Julie (1786)
Marie-Louise-Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun was one of the most prolific painters of her time. She was one of the favorite painters of the French Queen, Marie Antoniette. Her talent as well as her association with Royalty helped with her acceptance into the Royal Academy, extremely rare for a female artist.

Often female artists did not want themselves to appear 'unprofessional' as painters by showing a more femine side of themselves. Tehy felt they would not be taken seriously as an artist. By the time Vigee-Lebrun painted this portrait, she was well established as an artist. She wanted to be seen as a good mother also and close to her daughter, Julie. She also could make her self image flattering by using a more youthful appearance.