JOURNAL ARTICLE

SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT: How artist Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun scandalised society... by cracking a smile.

  • Published In: France Today, 2024, v. 40, n. 1. P. 25 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: SMITH, HAZEL 3 of 3

Abstract

The article discusses how artist Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun scandalized society by portraying herself with a smiling face in her artwork, breaking established norms of the time. Prior to her small smile, wide or toothy grins were considered breaches of etiquette in 18th-century Europe. Despite criticism, Vigée Le Brun believed that happy smiles were appropriate for her maternal paintings, and her trademark style eventually became popular with the elite, symbolizing a happier, more enlightened society. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:France Today. 2024/06, Vol. 40, Issue 1, p25
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:History
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:0895-3651
  • Accession Number:182491801
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