Marie Antoinette and Her Children
Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun · 1787
Why it's great
The queen of France sits proudly with her children, and an empty cradle. Vigée Le Brun painted it to improve the queen's image, at a time when people were angry with her. The empty cradle represents a baby daughter who had recently died. It's a sad and important portrait.
Where to see it
📍 Palace of VersaillesVersailles, France
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Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
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Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun was born in Paris, the daughter of a painter, and became a famous portraitist at only 20. She painted Queen Marie Antoinette and fled France during the Revolution, working in Italy, Austria, Russia and England. She was one of the most successful women artists in history. She died in Paris in 1842.
