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.

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