Elisabeth-Louise Vigée Le Brun

Anonymous sale, Paris, Hôtel Drouot, 4 April 1928, lot 55;
Anonymous sale, Paris, Drouot-Richelieu, 7 December 1989, lot 160 (as École français du XVIIIe siècle);
There acquired by the present owner. 

Canvas is unlined. Overall the picture presents a strong image to the naked eye. UV reveals a few minor retouches in the background, as well along the brow line and in the hair. These are quite minimal and do not address any major damages or losses. Some slight thinness along the sitter's left jaw line and jacket. The picture could be hung in its present state and is in a carved gilt wood frame.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Elisabeth-Louise Vigée Le Brun (1755-1842) was one of the most successful portraitists of her generation.  Trained by her father, Le Brun succeeded in gaining entrance to both the Accademia San Luca and, in 1783, to the Royal Academy, no easy feat for a female artist at the time.  In 1779 she completed her most famous portrait, of Queen Marie Antoinette, which greatly advanced her reputation.  During the Revolution Le Brun left France and traveled throughout Europe for many years.  She was greeted warmly in most aristocratic circles, and in the tradition of the courtier-artist, was often treated as the social equal of her sitters.  She returned to Paris in 1809 and spent the remainder of her life in France.  She recorded her autobiography during this time, and died in 1842.

The present portrait, a late work by the artist from circa 1780 is believed to depict the brother of Anne Catherine Le Preudhomme de Chatenoy, Comtesse de Verdun (1754 -1822). Though little is known of her immediate family, they all belonged to the influential circle of the Comte d' Artois, brother of King Louis XVI. The Comtesse married Jean Jacques Marie, Comte de Verdun in 1777, a wealthy tax farmer (fermier général). Though unrecorded in Vigee Le Bruns’s personal records, this portrait, along with portraits of the Comte and Comtesse de Verdun were illustrated and sold together in the 1928 Hôtel Drouot auction of the collection of a family descendant. 

To be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné of the works of Vigée Le Brun, by Joseph Baillio.