Exceptional Woman

Discover the remarkable life and career of Elisabeth Vigee-LeBrun, a court painter to Marie Antoinette, in Exceptional Woman by Mary D. Sheriff. Published by The University of Chicago Press in 1997, this insightful book spans 368 pages and delves into the complexities of the "woman-artist" in 18th-century France. Rediscovered in the 1970s as part of the "hidden feminist heritage," Vigee-LeBrun's work serves as a lens through which to examine the moral, philosophical, professional, and medical debates surrounding women artists of her time. Sheriff expertly navigates the cultural landscape, highlighting the challenges and triumphs faced by female artists in a male-dominated society. This book is an essential read for anyone interested in art history, women's studies, and the evolution of female representation in the arts.