Young Woman Drawing, 1801 Marie-Denise Villers (French, 1774–1821) Oil on canvas; 63 1/2 x 50 5/8 in. (161.3 x 128.6 cm)

At one time ascribed to Jacques-Louis David, this alluring portrait has now been recognized as the work of Marie-Denise Villers. Although little known today, Villers was a gifted pupil of Girodet and exhibited in the Salons, where her portraits attracted attention. (A salon is a hall or gallery for the exhibition of works of art).

This work, which may be a self-portrait, was exhibited in the Salon of 1801.

Between 1780 and 1810, many French women painters reached impressive heights of artistic achievement and professional success. Despite a cap on the number of women admitted to France’s prestigious Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture, and restrictions that barred women from the life drawing classes attended by young men aspiring to paint historical narratives, women ranked among the most sought-after artists in Paris in the 1780s. Three of the Académie’s four female members—Adélaïde Labille-Guiard (1749–1803), Anne Vallayer-Coster (1744–1818), and Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun (1755–1842)—regularly exhibited at the biennial Salons.

Close-up of Young Woman Drawing, 1801 Oil on canvas

The information about this painting was obtained from the Metropolitan Museum of Art web site.

deletereply starfishred wrote on Dec 27, ’08 Very good post about us who so often get lost in the shuffle of male artist-there were quit a few women who could paint like no ones business this is one thanks

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Dec 27, ’08 Heidi, I agree. I’m sure there were many women painters back then who did not receive the credit they deserved for their hard work. Thanks for commenting.

deletereply ladykay45 wrote on Dec 28, ’08 Love the painting and the information….

deletereply forgetmenot525 wrote on Dec 28, ’08 Am familiar with this work, it’s a real gem of its time. and your right about the women artists they generally remain unknown and unrecognized…………..but at least this work has been rightly attributed to a female artist, thanks for showing this work………….

deletereply nemo4sun wrote on Dec 28, ’08 oh! i like that 🙂

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Dec 28, ’08 The woman in the painting is so real looking.

deletereply nemo4sun wrote on Dec 29, ’08 i love the way she “glows” 🙂

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Dec 29, ’08 She seems to look right at you !

deletereply nemo4sun wrote on Dec 29, ’08 i wonder if she is drawing our picture 🙂

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Dec 29, ’08 It looks that way, doesn’t it ? or perhaps she was drawing the two people in the foreground and was startled by us walking into the room ?

deletereply nemo4sun wrote on Dec 29, ’08 to play it safe ~ i am saying “cheese” 🙂

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Mar 7, ’09 I thought this post would be perfect for International Womens’ Day !