Mrs. Keyfitz's Art Blog

Art Inspiration, Discussion & Appreciation




Self Portrait in a Straw Hat by Elisabeth-Louise Vigee-LeBrun (1782) What we learned- LeBrun was the daughter of a portrait painter and a hairdresser, which explains not only her penchant for portraits but also how she came to fix the hair and costumes of her patrons during their sitting. A popular portraitist among the French royal family, LeBrun became the official portraitist of Queen Marie Antoinette. LeBrun painted in the Rococo style- marked by curved lines, delicate colors, a leaning towards portraiture and pastoral background elements. Discussion Questions: What would you be if you combined the professions/ skills of your parents?  Why did LeBrun forgo an elaborate, detailed background? Do you think royal families (and people of political significance) continue to have their portraits painted?  Or has photography made painted portraits a thing of the past?

Self Portrait in a Straw Hat by Elisabeth-Louise Vigee-LeBrun (1782)

What we learned-

  • LeBrun was the daughter of a portrait painter and a hairdresser, which explains not only her penchant for portraits but also how she came to fix the hair and costumes of her patrons during their sitting.
  • A popular portraitist among the French royal family, LeBrun became the official portraitist of Queen Marie Antoinette.
  • LeBrun painted in the Rococo style- marked by curved lines, delicate colors, a leaning towards portraiture and pastoral background elements.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What would you be if you combined the professions/ skills of your parents? 
  2. Why did LeBrun forgo an elaborate, detailed background?
  3. Do you think royal families (and people of political significance) continue to have their portraits painted?  Or has photography made painted portraits a thing of the past?

Notes