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Stanislaw August Poniatowski, formerly King of Poland

Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun French

Not on view

Poniatowski (1732–1798), the former Polish king, had been exiled to St. Petersburg. The artist belonged to his inner circle and rarely missed his intimate suppers. Here, she demonstrates her mastery of the illusionistic techniques required to depict fabrics—velvet, fur, moiré, and lawn. Appearing in all his splendor, the sitter wears a red velvet mantle trimmed with ermine and the blue ribbon of the Polish Order of the White Eagle.

Stanislaw August Poniatowski, formerly King of Poland, Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun (French, Paris 1755–1842 Paris), Oil on canvas

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