The Princess Radziwill (1781-1808)
Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun
1800-1801
Imagine being the favorite painter of Marie Antoinette—that was Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun's life before she had to flee the French Revolution. In this portrait of Princess Radziwill, painted around 1800, she uses her signature flattering style to make the young woman look almost angelic. The wild, dark curls and rosy cheeks pop against a soft blue background, giving the piece a fresh, lively energy unlike stiff traditional portraits. It’s a bittersweet masterpiece, capturing the princess at her peak just years before her tragic death at age 27.
Views: 5