Self-Portrait of Elisabeth Louise Vigée LeBrun c. 1783 - 1785

Editor: Here we have Johann Gotthard Müller's engraving of Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, at the Harvard Art Museums. It's fascinating how she presents herself, brush and palette in hand. What symbolic weight do you think this image carries? Curator: The oval frame containing Vigée Le Brun suggests a mirror, reflecting not just her likeness but her self-awareness. The artist's tools are symbols of creation and skill, yet also of social standing. What cultural narratives do you imagine being woven into her self-representation? Editor: Perhaps a statement of female empowerment within a patriarchal society? Curator: Precisely. Her confident gaze, coupled with the painter's tools, challenges conventional portrayals of women. It’s a calculated projection, a conscious construction of identity for posterity. What does this imagery tell us about her legacy? Editor: It reveals her determination to be remembered on her own terms. Thank you for the insights! Curator: My pleasure. It seems she has succeeded.