Скачать или смотреть Marie Antoinette Gathering the Brushes of Madame Vigée Le Brun (1784) by Alexis-Joseph Pérignon

The painting "Marie Antoinette Gathering the Brushes of Madame Vigée Le Brun" (1784) by Alexis-Joseph Pérignon captures a rare and intimate moment of kindness between royalty and an artist. Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, a celebrated portraitist, had recently arrived at Versailles to paint Marie Antoinette. In her eagerness, Vigée Le Brun accidentally dropped her paintbrushes. Seeing this, the queen stopped her from picking them up, knowing that the artist was pregnant. In an extraordinary gesture, Marie Antoinette knelt down and gathered the brushes herself, breaking the rigid protocols that separated monarchs from commoners. This simple yet powerful act revealed a more compassionate side of the queen, who is often remembered for her extravagant lifestyle.

By depicting Marie Antoinette in such a humble pose, the painting emphasizes her humanity and ability to transcend social barriers. At a time when royal decorum dictated strict behavior, her willingness to assist a commoner reflected a rare moment of warmth and empathy. This act not only demonstrated her kindness toward Vigée Le Brun but also suggested a mutual respect between the queen and the artist. The painting immortalizes a moment where social rank momentarily dissolved, highlighting the personal bonds that could exist behind the formality of court life. Through Pérignon’s work, we glimpse a softer and more human portrayal of Marie Antoinette, challenging the harsher public perceptions that would later contribute to her tragic fate.