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Self-Portrait in Traveling Costume

Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun French

1789–90

Not on view

With her nine-year-old daughter and the child’s governess, Vigée Le Brun fled revolutionary Paris for Italy in the autumn of 1789. There she drew on a wealth of talent to re-create herself in spite of the circumstances that had driven her from home. She is in travel attire—a coat, fichu, and bonnet—looking younger than her true age. To document this moment of transition she chose pastel, the technique par excellence for travelers.

Self-Portrait in Traveling Costume, Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun (French, Paris 1755–1842 Paris), Pastel on paper — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Self-Portrait in Traveling Costume

Artist: Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun (French, Paris 1755–1842 Paris)

Date: 1789–90

Medium: Pastel on paper

Dimensions: 19 3/4 × 15 3/4 in. (50 × 40 cm)

Classification: Pastels & Oil Sketches on Paper

Credit Line: Private collection

Accession Number: SL.1.2016.2.6

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