Elisabeth-Louise VIGÉE LE BRUN (Paris, 1755 - 1842) Lakescape, probably Switzerland Pastel on paper Lake landscape, probably Switzerland, pastel on paper, by E.-L. Vigée Le Brun 4.72 x 6.85 in. 12.0 x 17.4 x 0.0 cm Provenance: Private collection, Paris Elisabeth-Louise Vigée Le Brun's production of landscapes is still little known, although it has recently come to light through the work of historians, especially Joseph Baillio. In her 'Souvenirs', however, she states that she painted almost two hundred of them, and later, in her account of her travels in Switzerland, she even specifies that she painted them in pastel. It was during her exile and her many travels that our artist frantically began to paint this type of small landscape. It would seem that it was during her stays in Vienna and then across the Channel that she began to work directly from nature. In London, she recounted how she loved to walk in the surrounding countryside, making numerous studies. But it was mainly in Switzerland that Vigée Le Brun devoted herself to this important production. Nature was at the centre of her preoccupations. Mountain ranges, glaciers, waterfalls, vast expanses or snow-capped peaks - no bucolic setting captured on her excursions was to escape her blue paper and pastels. Unfortunately, only a few dozen of the hundreds of sheets mentioned by the artist have survived. Our recently rediscovered pastel, most probably executed in Switzerland around 1807-1808, is a rare and particularly attractive example of Vigée Le Brun's landscape work. Here, the artist depicts the calm of a lake at sunset, using a free, light touch that prefigures the art of the Impressionists Boudin and Monet. We would like to thank Mr Joseph Baillo for confirming the authenticity of this photograph. A certificate of authenticity dated 26 June 2024 may be given to the buyer. Elisabeth-Louise VIGÉE LE BRUN (Paris, 1755 - 1842) 12.0 x 17.4 x 0.0 cm Elisabeth-Louise Vigée Le Brun's production of landscapes is still little known, although it has recently been brought to light by historians, especially Joseph Baillio. In her 'Souvenirs', however, she states that she painted almost two hundred of them, and later, in her account of her travels in Switzerland, she even specifies that she painted them in pastel. It was during her exile and her many travels that our artist frantically began to paint this type of small landscape. It would seem that it was during her stays in Vienna and then across the Channel that she began to work directly from nature. In London, she recounted how she loved to walk in the surrounding countryside, making numerous studies. But it was mainly in Switzerland that Vigée Le Brun devoted herself to this important production. Nature was at the centre of her preoccupations. Mountain ranges, glaciers, waterfalls, vast expanses or snow-capped peaks - no bucolic setting captured on her excursions escaped her blue paper and pastels. Unfortunately, only a few dozen of the hundreds of sheets mentioned by the artist have survived. Our recently rediscovered pastel, most probably executed in Switzerland around 1807-1808, is a rare and particularly attractive example of Vigée Le Brun's landscape work. Here, the artist depicts the calm of a lake at sunset, using a free, light touch that prefigures the art of the Impressionists Boudin and Monet. We would like to thank Mr Joseph Baillo for confirming the authenticity of this photograph. A certificate of authenticity dated 26 June 2024 may be given to the buyer.