Artist. Born in Paris to portrait artist Louis Vigee and his wife Jean Maissin, she began drawing under her father's tutelage at the age of 15. She was only able to spend a few months with him before his death. She continued to pursue art by copying private collections and painting portraits of family members, honing her skills without apprenticing under a master. She was painting portraits professionally within 3 years. When her studio was siezed for practicing without a license, she applied at the Academie de Ste. Luc, and was installed as a member in 1774. In 1776 her family rented apartments at the home of artist and art dealer Jean-Baptiste LeBrun. He and Elisabeth were married the same year. Madame Vigee-LeBrun was summoned to Versailles in 1778 to paint a portrait of Queen Marie Antoinette, and the two women became close friends. Elisabeth was accepted as a member of the Academie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture in 1783, and her work grew in popularity. She fled Paris with her daughter in 1789 to escape the revolution, and painted for the nobility and royalty throughout Europe, where she was very well received and her work earned great critical acclaim. When Marie Antoinette was executed in 1793, Elisabeth's friendship with her prompted her husband, fearing for his own life, to sue for divorce. She returned to France, and settled in Louveciennes. She returned to Paris after her husband's death in 1813, and remained there. She kept painting until the last year of her life, when a severe stroke debilitated her. She died at the age of 86, and according to her wishes, was returned to Louveciennes for burial.
Artist. Born in Paris to portrait artist Louis Vigee and his wife Jean Maissin, she began drawing under her father's tutelage at the age of 15. She was only able to spend a few months with him before his death. She continued to pursue art by copying private collections and painting portraits of family members, honing her skills without apprenticing under a master. She was painting portraits professionally within 3 years. When her studio was siezed for practicing without a license, she applied at the Academie de Ste. Luc, and was installed as a member in 1774. In 1776 her family rented apartments at the home of artist and art dealer Jean-Baptiste LeBrun. He and Elisabeth were married the same year. Madame Vigee-LeBrun was summoned to Versailles in 1778 to paint a portrait of Queen Marie Antoinette, and the two women became close friends. Elisabeth was accepted as a member of the Academie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture in 1783, and her work grew in popularity. She fled Paris with her daughter in 1789 to escape the revolution, and painted for the nobility and royalty throughout Europe, where she was very well received and her work earned great critical acclaim. When Marie Antoinette was executed in 1793, Elisabeth's friendship with her prompted her husband, fearing for his own life, to sue for divorce. She returned to France, and settled in Louveciennes. She returned to Paris after her husband's death in 1813, and remained there. She kept painting until the last year of her life, when a severe stroke debilitated her. She died at the age of 86, and according to her wishes, was returned to Louveciennes for burial.
Bio by: Kristen Conrad
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