Portrait of a Woman
Art, Rivalry, and Revolution in the Life of Adélaïde Labille-Guiard
Bridget Quinn
- 224 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
Portrait of a Woman
Art, Rivalry, and Revolution in the Life of Adélaïde Labille-Guiard
Bridget Quinn
About This Book
Discover the story of AdĂ©laĂŻde Labille-Guiardâa long-ignored artist and feminist of eighteenth-century Franceâin this imaginative and illuminating biography from an award-winning writer. Born in Paris in 1749, AdĂ©laĂŻde Labille-Guiard rose from shopkeeper's daughter to an official portraitist of the royal courtâonly to have her achievements reduced to ash by the French Revolution. While she defied societal barriers to become a member of the exclusive AcadĂ©mie Royale and a mentor for other ambitious women painters, she left behind few writings, and her legacy was long overshadowed by celebrated portraitist and memoirist Ălisabeth VigĂ©e-Lebrun. But AdĂ©laĂŻde Labille-Guiard's story lives on. In this engaging biography, Bridget Quinn applies her insightful interpretation of art history to Labille-Guiard's life. She offers a fascinating new perspective on the artist's feminism, her sexuality, and her vision of the world. Quinn expertly blends close analyses of paintings with broader context about the era and inserts delicately fictionalized interpersonal scenes that fill the gaps in the historical record. This is a compelling and inspiring look at an artist too long overlooked.INSPIRING HISTORICAL NONFICTION: Despite numerous setbacks, Labille-Guiard built a legacy as an accomplished royal portraitist and a mentor to other young women artists of her era. This tale ofsolidarity, self-belief, and true passion for painting is sure to inspire contemporary creatives and women today. CREATIVE AND COMPELLING ART HISTORY BOOK: Bridget Quinn is an award-winning author and art historian who has spent years researching AdĂ©laĂŻde Labille-Guiard's work and life. She vividly evokes both andweaves a compelling narrative at the intersection of art, gender, and politics. GORGEOUS ART REPRODUCTIONS THROUGHOUT: This biography features full-color images of artwork by AdĂ©laĂŻde Labille-Guiard, her rumored rival Ălisabeth VigĂ©e-Lebrun, and other artists of the era, including portraits of key players in the narrative. These images, interspersed throughout the book, offer valuable visual references to illuminate the engaging text even further. AN ARTFUL GIFT BOOK: Uniquely crafted and thoroughly researched, this volume makes an outstanding gift for art history enthusiasts and readers who love exploring untold stories in women's history.Perfect for:
- Readers of memoirs andbiographies
- History buffs and fans of historical fiction and nonfiction
- Artists, art lovers, museumgoers, and art history students
- Feminists and readers seeking feminist books
- Francophiles and those interested in the French Revolution
- Fans of Portrait of a Lady on Fire and other historical dramas