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Daring: The Life and Art of Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun
The dramatic life story of Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun, one of the greatest portrait painters of all time.
Supremely talented and strategically charming, Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun (1755–1842) overcame tragedy and broke gender barriers to reach the height of success as a portrait painter, first in Paris, and then across Europe. After losing her father at age twelve and facing financial insecurity, she fought to gain access to artistic training and opportunity. She was pressured to marry at age twenty, to an art dealer who both helped and harmed her career. Vigée Le Brun deployed her intelligence and beauty to attract powerful clients, who relied on her to style the personal identities they projected to the world.
Vigée Le Brun’s salons were the talk of Paris, and she became court painter to Marie Antoinette. Then came the French Revolution, when marginalized groups demanded change to centuries-old systems of oppression. Vigée Le Brun was forced to reexamine her alliances and run for her life, taking her young daughter but leaving her husband behind. Making her way through the countrysides and capitals of Europe and Russia—including a stay at the imperial court of Catherine the Great—the artist conquered fear and adversity to refashion her life and art.
Ages thirteen and up.
Supremely talented and strategically charming, Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun (1755–1842) overcame tragedy and broke gender barriers to reach the height of success as a portrait painter, first in Paris, and then across Europe. After losing her father at age twelve and facing financial insecurity, she fought to gain access to artistic training and opportunity. She was pressured to marry at age twenty, to an art dealer who both helped and harmed her career. Vigée Le Brun deployed her intelligence and beauty to attract powerful clients, who relied on her to style the personal identities they projected to the world.
Vigée Le Brun’s salons were the talk of Paris, and she became court painter to Marie Antoinette. Then came the French Revolution, when marginalized groups demanded change to centuries-old systems of oppression. Vigée Le Brun was forced to reexamine her alliances and run for her life, taking her young daughter but leaving her husband behind. Making her way through the countrysides and capitals of Europe and Russia—including a stay at the imperial court of Catherine the Great—the artist conquered fear and adversity to refashion her life and art.
Ages thirteen and up.
- GenresNonfictionBiographyArt
112 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 29, 2025
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95 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 5, 2025
I had seen her paintings but before reading this book I knew nothing of the artist. I was delighted to learn about her colorful life and groundbreaking art.
Elisabeth Vigee LeBrun wrote a memoir filled with the famous people she met as a portraitist, including Marie Antoinette and Catherine the Great.
Her story as an artist began as a child instructed by her father, who died when she was twelve. One of her father’s friends encouraged her to continue lessons and by her late teens, art had become the focus of her life. She married an artist and art collector under pressure from her mother, and to escape her stepfather.
Elisabeth painted over thirty portraits of Marie Antoinette and her family. One infamous painting showed Marie in her comfortable white chemise, which scandalized society. She had to paint another, with Marie is more traditional court dress.
Elisabeth was so busy by day painting, and socializing at night, that it impacted her health.
With the French Revolution, Elisabeth fled her homeland with her daughter, and was welcomed into society across Europe, painting portraits to earn her keep. She was an intrepid sightseer, hiking up Mt. Vesuvius to peer into the magma. Her husband, now her ex, finally arranged for her to safely return to France.
Elisabeth was eight-six when she passed, having painted 800 canvases.
Elisabeth’s paintings fill the book. She was masterful at details of costume, often portraying her subjects in the character of a mythological person. There is a freshness and idealism to her faces, the lips often parted as if beginning to smile, the eyes large and expressive.
Elisabeth captured the images of women who shaped politics and culture. I was delighted to learn her story.
Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley
Elisabeth Vigee LeBrun wrote a memoir filled with the famous people she met as a portraitist, including Marie Antoinette and Catherine the Great.
Her story as an artist began as a child instructed by her father, who died when she was twelve. One of her father’s friends encouraged her to continue lessons and by her late teens, art had become the focus of her life. She married an artist and art collector under pressure from her mother, and to escape her stepfather.
Elisabeth painted over thirty portraits of Marie Antoinette and her family. One infamous painting showed Marie in her comfortable white chemise, which scandalized society. She had to paint another, with Marie is more traditional court dress.
Elisabeth was so busy by day painting, and socializing at night, that it impacted her health.
With the French Revolution, Elisabeth fled her homeland with her daughter, and was welcomed into society across Europe, painting portraits to earn her keep. She was an intrepid sightseer, hiking up Mt. Vesuvius to peer into the magma. Her husband, now her ex, finally arranged for her to safely return to France.
Elisabeth was eight-six when she passed, having painted 800 canvases.
Elisabeth’s paintings fill the book. She was masterful at details of costume, often portraying her subjects in the character of a mythological person. There is a freshness and idealism to her faces, the lips often parted as if beginning to smile, the eyes large and expressive.
Elisabeth captured the images of women who shaped politics and culture. I was delighted to learn her story.
Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley
March 4, 2025
I tore through this book in less than an hour! I am a French Revolution era nerd and was a high school art nerd, so this was the intersection of passions of mine. Stylistically, I loved the look and feel of the book. The use of modern colors and page layouts with the art. There are so many paintings in this book that show the time and the "characters" in Elizabeth's story. The writing is engaging and does not feel like a dry history book. I think people who don't enjoy non-fiction could enjoy this one.
ARC from NetGalley.
ARC from NetGalley.
September 8, 2025
Excellent! This is my fifth book I've read about Elisabeth Vigee-Le Brun, and I always learn something new. What I loved in this book in how the author told Le Brun's life and talked about the art she was creating at each stage. Including images of said art and expounding on them is what makes this more than a simple biography. It's also French art history of the 18th century, during critical times in France's political life. I don't think I'll ever tire of reading about this artist. She's just too fascinating to me.
Thanks to NetGalley for access to this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to NetGalley for access to this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 7, 2025
A thoroughly entertaining look at the life and work of Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun who was a court painter for Marie Antoinette and overcame a lot to find renown as an artist in her time. I had never heard of her before this book, and honestly wasn't sure how engaging I would find something like this, but the cover seemed fun and eye-catching, so I gave it a go, and I'm glad I did! Super accessible, well-organized, and interesting. A quicker read than it looks like, easily digestible. I enjoyed it!
March 30, 2025
A beautiful and well written YA/teen biography of the French artist Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun. I am someone who plans trips to visit art and great museums. I have seen Le Brun’s works in multiple museums and countries, but really knew nothing of her life. I am fascinated by women artists who have talents that cannot be denied in their own lifetime. Le Brun was the daughter of an artist who encouraged her work. She was the first of only 15 women ever allowed into French Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture. She found a successful career before the French Revolution and painted multiple commissions of Marie Antoinette. She fled France and found work around Europe before finally returning to her country. I love that she lived a long 86 years and was a prolific artist. She even wrote her own memoir.
This book is wonderfully laid out. It follows her life and includes many of her paintings in color. It also includes side notes about the history of the time that impacts her life. I thought it was fascinating that she was sent to live with a wet nurse in the countryside rather than staying with her parents as a child in Paris. And what a common thing that was at the time. There are descriptions of each art work. I love that in the back of the book are photo credits so you know which museums have those works now. I have added smaller museums in the USA to my list of art places to visit.
A school teacher friend of mine told me that YA biographies are a great way to learn about people. This is a perfect example of giving a lot of good information, in only 112 pages. I was in France last October and realized I have photos of some of her paintings from my visits to the Louvre and Versailles. This was a treat for me to read and easy to recommend to teens and adult readers alike. Thank you to Getty Publications and NetGalley for a temporary digital copy and I am leaving an honest review.
This book is wonderfully laid out. It follows her life and includes many of her paintings in color. It also includes side notes about the history of the time that impacts her life. I thought it was fascinating that she was sent to live with a wet nurse in the countryside rather than staying with her parents as a child in Paris. And what a common thing that was at the time. There are descriptions of each art work. I love that in the back of the book are photo credits so you know which museums have those works now. I have added smaller museums in the USA to my list of art places to visit.
A school teacher friend of mine told me that YA biographies are a great way to learn about people. This is a perfect example of giving a lot of good information, in only 112 pages. I was in France last October and realized I have photos of some of her paintings from my visits to the Louvre and Versailles. This was a treat for me to read and easy to recommend to teens and adult readers alike. Thank you to Getty Publications and NetGalley for a temporary digital copy and I am leaving an honest review.
July 29, 2025
I don’t usually read biographies because they tend to be very dense and hyper focused. But this book was very accessible-and not just for teens! Anyone who wants to learn more about the lives of women artists, the French Revolution, or the history of portraiture art will find themselves learning so much more. And it left me wanting more! There’s a little hint here and there about intriguing historical details like racial politics during the Revolution or the history of muslin fabric that left me excited to learn more.
Despite its lack of depth, the book is written in such a way that it leaves you feeling like you just watched these events happen before your eyes. There is no dialogue, but I felt I could hear Marie Antoinette and Elisabeth discussing which dress would be just right for the queen’s portrait. I’ve found this only happens in books that are written with passion and care, and I’m delighted this is one.
My one criticism, though, is that there is no criticism in the book. This especially struck me when the author was explaining that despite their intimate proximity throughout their travels, Elisabeth never mentioned her daughter’s governess in her memoirs. The author suggests that this is because their conversations were “boring….” never mind the fact they were traveling because Elisabeth, with her wealth and royal connections, was fleeing the guillotine. She lived in a class structure so elitist that it caused a violent revolution….maybe that’s a clue as to why she never gave the governess she employed the time of day.
I also found it funny when the author says Elisabeth wrote her memoirs because she wanted to leave “no part of her life up to interpretation.” Yet here we are, hundreds of years later, speculating about how she treated her servants. That’s not a criticism, just a funny irony.
Despite its lack of depth, the book is written in such a way that it leaves you feeling like you just watched these events happen before your eyes. There is no dialogue, but I felt I could hear Marie Antoinette and Elisabeth discussing which dress would be just right for the queen’s portrait. I’ve found this only happens in books that are written with passion and care, and I’m delighted this is one.
My one criticism, though, is that there is no criticism in the book. This especially struck me when the author was explaining that despite their intimate proximity throughout their travels, Elisabeth never mentioned her daughter’s governess in her memoirs. The author suggests that this is because their conversations were “boring….” never mind the fact they were traveling because Elisabeth, with her wealth and royal connections, was fleeing the guillotine. She lived in a class structure so elitist that it caused a violent revolution….maybe that’s a clue as to why she never gave the governess she employed the time of day.
I also found it funny when the author says Elisabeth wrote her memoirs because she wanted to leave “no part of her life up to interpretation.” Yet here we are, hundreds of years later, speculating about how she treated her servants. That’s not a criticism, just a funny irony.
June 21, 2025
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
This is a quick survey course of Le Brun's life, taken from her memoir. At its heart, it is a personal story of mother and daughter as they fled the French Revolution and travelled Europe. She met/painted some of the most famous/infamous leaders of the era: from Marie Antoinette to Catherine the Great, George IV to the sister of Napoleon. Along the way she worked with some of the great artists and literati of the time.The biography is presented chronologically with copious amounts of quotes directly from Le Brun herself. She was a very interesting person who lived in a tumultuous time; the story here is fascinating: a story of an unconventional women, a huge talent, and with an incredible life. It is a quick 100 page read with plenty of full color images of the artist's works, spanning an incredible 80+ years.
I greatly enjoyed this survey of her life and work. Many years ago, I came across her painting of Countess Kinsky at the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, California. The tragic story of the Countess and the pathos in which she was painted by LeBrun captured my heart. In reading this biography, there were many such stories since LeBrun specialized in women's portraits.
This is very nicely presented, very graphic, easy to follow, a quick read, and with many full color images that tell the story nicely. Highly recommended. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
June 22, 2025
Daring: The Life and Art of Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun by Jordana Pomeroy is everything you would want in a biographical work on an important painter. Plenty of images, her life story, and information to contextualize her life for the current reader.
As Pomeroy mentions at the beginning, Vigée Le Brun's memoir, like most memoirs, leave things out or gloss over events. So this work utilizes much of what is in the multi-volume memoir but supplements it with greater detail as well as insets explaining both people and society of the time. This truly brings Vigée Le Brun's amazing life and work into greater focus.
There are a lot of pictures of both her work and that of other artists, those who influenced her as well as those that represent the current trends of the day. Now that we have the internet, the ability to find additional pictures as well as details of some of the paintings can make this an even better experience. The book does a great job as is, when coupled with images from the internet readers can really immerse themselves in the works and the times.
As informative as this is, it is also a beautiful book and makes a great coffee table book. Whether simply for looks, to spark conversation when friends are over, or to pique a young person's interest in art, displaying this volume will meet your needs.
Recommended for those who enjoy biographies in general as well as those who like to read about art history, and history in general. The people she painted reads like the index of a history book of the period.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
As Pomeroy mentions at the beginning, Vigée Le Brun's memoir, like most memoirs, leave things out or gloss over events. So this work utilizes much of what is in the multi-volume memoir but supplements it with greater detail as well as insets explaining both people and society of the time. This truly brings Vigée Le Brun's amazing life and work into greater focus.
There are a lot of pictures of both her work and that of other artists, those who influenced her as well as those that represent the current trends of the day. Now that we have the internet, the ability to find additional pictures as well as details of some of the paintings can make this an even better experience. The book does a great job as is, when coupled with images from the internet readers can really immerse themselves in the works and the times.
As informative as this is, it is also a beautiful book and makes a great coffee table book. Whether simply for looks, to spark conversation when friends are over, or to pique a young person's interest in art, displaying this volume will meet your needs.
Recommended for those who enjoy biographies in general as well as those who like to read about art history, and history in general. The people she painted reads like the index of a history book of the period.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
October 5, 2025
I picked this up not knowing much about Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun beyond having seen a few of her paintings in museums, and I was really glad I did. The book is short and super readable, a biography that doesn’t feel overly simplified, perfect if you want a quick but rich introduction to an artist’s life. I loved learning how she started painting as a child, encouraged by her father before his early death, and how she eventually became one of only 15 women admitted to the French Royal Academy. Her career was remarkable: she created more than thirty portraits of Marie Antoinette, received commissions across Europe, and even hiked up Mt. Vesuvius for fun. She lived to 86 and produced around 800 works.
The book is beautifully put together, with lots of colour images, context notes about the Revolution, and even details about where her paintings are now. As someone who travels to see art, I appreciated that. It made me want to revisit the Louvre and Versailles with fresh eyes.
My only complaint is that the book paints her life in a very flattering light. Given the Revolution, class tensions, and her treatment of staff, I felt like there was more complexity that got glossed over.
Still, it’s engaging, informative, and left me curious to learn more. I’d recommend it to teens and adults alike who enjoy art, history, or strong women’s stories.
Thanks to the publisher for my ARC.
The book is beautifully put together, with lots of colour images, context notes about the Revolution, and even details about where her paintings are now. As someone who travels to see art, I appreciated that. It made me want to revisit the Louvre and Versailles with fresh eyes.
My only complaint is that the book paints her life in a very flattering light. Given the Revolution, class tensions, and her treatment of staff, I felt like there was more complexity that got glossed over.
Still, it’s engaging, informative, and left me curious to learn more. I’d recommend it to teens and adults alike who enjoy art, history, or strong women’s stories.
Thanks to the publisher for my ARC.
November 22, 2025
Concise and generally interesting biography of an iconic female artist of the 18th century. There's a lot of art here, by Le Brun and her contemporaries, and I greatly appreciated the small analyses of the pieces. Pomeroy is very reliant on Le Brun's own words, from her memoir. Perhaps this is by design, and perhaps it's by necessity, but it means that we're often given only one perspective of events, and only rarely does Pomeroy remind the reader that it may not be the objective truth. And there's plenty of room to doubt her version of events, especialy in relation to the daughter she eventually became estranged from. Pomeroy probably had no choice but to present Le Brun's perspective as the only one in many places, but perhaps a bit more skepticism may have been warranted.
Pet peeve: Pomeroy misunderstands age expectancy in a historical context. Age expectancy is the average age people die in a particular time and place, and in 18th century France would have been heavily skewed by infant, childhood, and maternal mortality. Yes, the average lifespan of a French woman in the late 18th century was mid-30s, but women who survived childbirth reguarly lived much longer. A 44 year old woman definitely wouldn't have been considered to be at an advanced age.
Pet peeve: Pomeroy misunderstands age expectancy in a historical context. Age expectancy is the average age people die in a particular time and place, and in 18th century France would have been heavily skewed by infant, childhood, and maternal mortality. Yes, the average lifespan of a French woman in the late 18th century was mid-30s, but women who survived childbirth reguarly lived much longer. A 44 year old woman definitely wouldn't have been considered to be at an advanced age.
July 10, 2025
Publishing date: 29.07.2025 (DD/MM/YYYY)
Thank you to NetGalley and Getty Publications for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
In this book we explore the life of the artist, her struggles, and her rise to fame (although it looked very different then than it did today).
In my shame I admit I do not remember much from the actual life story for the artist. I was so deep into the paintings themselves to properly pay attention. The way she makes her paintings so radiant, glowing, and ethereal is truly astonishing. I love the way she uses stark contrasts between shadow and light to make her paintings POP.
If you, like me, were drawn to this book for the recognizable style (think Marie Antoinette paintings and you have probably seen her work) and only want to look at the paintings, feel no shame. I would still recommend you take a peek and dive deep into this wonderful woman's work.
Giving this 3 stars, although I remember no story, I did love the way every painting was presented. Recommending this to art enthusiasts, both for the art and the artist.
Thank you to NetGalley and Getty Publications for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
In this book we explore the life of the artist, her struggles, and her rise to fame (although it looked very different then than it did today).
In my shame I admit I do not remember much from the actual life story for the artist. I was so deep into the paintings themselves to properly pay attention. The way she makes her paintings so radiant, glowing, and ethereal is truly astonishing. I love the way she uses stark contrasts between shadow and light to make her paintings POP.
If you, like me, were drawn to this book for the recognizable style (think Marie Antoinette paintings and you have probably seen her work) and only want to look at the paintings, feel no shame. I would still recommend you take a peek and dive deep into this wonderful woman's work.
Giving this 3 stars, although I remember no story, I did love the way every painting was presented. Recommending this to art enthusiasts, both for the art and the artist.
May 25, 2025
I received this book via NetGalley for a honest review.
This biography of Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun was entertaining and more interesting than I expected in depicting the life and deeds of this prolific painter who really made a place for herself among European nobilities and royal families despite the limited place that women, and women painters above all, where given in her times.
The writing style is really compelling and fluid, and I really appreciated the author’s ability to combine the description of the many incredible events of Elisabeth’s life side by side with the her (but not only) paintings descriptions and some insights on important figures and events of her time.
I was also really pleased with the layout of the book itself, although I would have appreciated precise information on where her paintings are exhibited nowadays.
Definitely a good choice to spend some hours and be inspired.
This biography of Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun was entertaining and more interesting than I expected in depicting the life and deeds of this prolific painter who really made a place for herself among European nobilities and royal families despite the limited place that women, and women painters above all, where given in her times.
The writing style is really compelling and fluid, and I really appreciated the author’s ability to combine the description of the many incredible events of Elisabeth’s life side by side with the her (but not only) paintings descriptions and some insights on important figures and events of her time.
I was also really pleased with the layout of the book itself, although I would have appreciated precise information on where her paintings are exhibited nowadays.
Definitely a good choice to spend some hours and be inspired.
May 6, 2025
This is a visually beautiful book that talks about the life of Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun, one of the most famous and well-known female artists of her time. I enjoyed getting to know Elisabeth better through the glimpses into her life; despite being an informational text, this book read easily and felt like more of a story than a historical account of her life and art. I loved that there was a nice balance of text and artwork on each page, which seems attainable to readers. This book is definitely one that I will be purchasing for my classroom and incorporating within my creative writing curriculum--this is young adult nonfiction done well!
Thank you to NetGalley and Getty Publications for the early advanced digital copy of this book, and the chance to read and review it! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Getty Publications for the early advanced digital copy of this book, and the chance to read and review it! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 20, 2025
This was marvelous! I leapt at it on sight as Vigée Le Brun is one of my favorite artists, and this is the book she deserves as a well-researched biography with plenty of interesting sidebars placing the events of her life in their wider context. It was such a treat seeing so many of her paintings laid out alongside the stories of what led her to meeting the people who sat for her, with some of the deeper cuts I hadn't come across before just cementing her spot in my top five faves. Wonderful artist, wonderful book. I recommend this for anyone familiar with her work, or unfamiliar! Look her up, she rules.
My thanks to Getty Publications and NetGalley for the ARC.
My thanks to Getty Publications and NetGalley for the ARC.
July 5, 2025
A book about my favorite artist! Finally!
Talented, intelligent and resilient. Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun has been underappreciated for too long.
I read Madame Le Brun's memoir several years ago and have wanted to learn more about her since. This book is impressively researched and I deeply enjoyed the historical anecdotes, they added important context to many of the excerpts from her memoir.
I love the design of the book as well, the bright yellow gives it a contemporary feel. I can't wait to pick it up when it's published!
Thank you to NetGalley and Getty Publications for the Advanced Reader Copy.
Talented, intelligent and resilient. Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun has been underappreciated for too long.
I read Madame Le Brun's memoir several years ago and have wanted to learn more about her since. This book is impressively researched and I deeply enjoyed the historical anecdotes, they added important context to many of the excerpts from her memoir.
I love the design of the book as well, the bright yellow gives it a contemporary feel. I can't wait to pick it up when it's published!
Thank you to NetGalley and Getty Publications for the Advanced Reader Copy.
August 29, 2025
Daring is the story of Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun, most famously known for her portraits of the infamous Queen of France, Marie Antoinette. It details her birth, upbringing, marriage, marital struggles and her influences in art. It tells of her first teachers, of her contemporaries and of how culture and her environment shaped her art. Accompanied by images of her work, relevant illustrations and pieces from other contemporaries, it covers a number of topics relevant to her life and legacy.
July 10, 2025
If you've seen portraits of Marie Antoinette, most likely you've seen the beautiful artwork of Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun. This lovely biography introduces the reader to the life and times of the artist. It's full of interesting and engaging history and works of art.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ecopy of the book for me to review.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ecopy of the book for me to review.
July 23, 2025
I enjoyed this a lot! Informative pop art history that expertly rides the line between well researched and easily read by the general public. The design of the book, with the side stories + paintings adding colour to the main biography, is very engaging and made it hard for me to put down at times.
Would recommend to anyone who likes art history, the 18th century, interesting women, etc etc
Would recommend to anyone who likes art history, the 18th century, interesting women, etc etc
August 26, 2025
This was a pleasure to read, and I loved learning about such a wonderful artist. Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun is indeed a gifted portrait painter and being a female artist in 1700/1800’s who was widely recognized is truly amazing.
This biography is the perfect length and doesn’t go overtly into detail. The artistic works featured are stunning and accompanying tidbits are interesting.
#Daring #NetGalley
Thank you Getty Publications and NetGalley for this ARC
This biography is the perfect length and doesn’t go overtly into detail. The artistic works featured are stunning and accompanying tidbits are interesting.
#Daring #NetGalley
Thank you Getty Publications and NetGalley for this ARC
March 11, 2025
Amazing.
December 13, 2025
Beautifully illustrated. Everything described is pictured on the pages. I appreciate when an author does that.
August 21, 2025
I would like to thank Netgalley and Getty Publications for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a really modern looking and sounding book on history. I loved that there was background info on bigger picture things like empire.
This is a really modern looking and sounding book on history. I loved that there was background info on bigger picture things like empire.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews