Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun (1755–1842) was a celebrated French painter, renowned for her skill in portraiture. Born in Paris to a portraitist father and a hairdresser mother, she was exposed to the art world from an early age. Vigée Le Brun quickly developed her skills and established herself as a prominent artist in a period when female painters faced significant societal barriers.

Her career reached its peak when she became the official portraitist of Queen Marie Antoinette. During this time, she produced a multitude of portraits of the queen and her family, which are among her most acclaimed works. Vigée Le Brun's works can be seen as a blend of Rococo and Neoclassical styles with a natural, yet elegant portrayal of her subjects. In 1783, she achieved the rare honor of being admitted to the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture, a testament to her skill and reputation.

The onset of the French Revolution forced Vigée Le Brun into exile, during which she traveled and worked throughout Europe, including in Italy, Austria, Russia, and Germany. This period not only expanded her influence but also enriched her artistic style. Upon her return to France, she continued to paint and contribute to the art world. Vigée Le Brun's legacy is profound, celebrated for her artistic prowess and for breaking barriers for women in the arts.