Marie-Denise Villeres:
1774-1821

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  Villeres began painting in 1799 - ten years after the French Revolution - becoming a professional female artist specializing in portraits of women during a time when men largely dominated the career field. Her aptitude brought her paintings to the Paris Salon that same year, a revered art competition which took place in the city between the 1660s & late 1800s, featuring prominent Western artists of the time.

  Her well-known Self-Portrait, displayed in 1802, features a delicately detailed lace shawl, beautiful fabrics, and a misty & mysterious view into the countryside.

  The painting earned the public's appreciation and became a key point in her career; however, as she was a protege of some of Paris's most famous artists of the time, much of the credit she deserved had inadvertently gone to her mentor, Jacques-Louis David. It wasn't until many years later, in the 1990s, that Marie would be recognized herself for her great works of art, which had captured the public's attention so long ago.

   Fun Fact: The Louvre recently confirmed Villere's Self-Portrait as being such, putting an end to the misnomer "Portrait of Madame Soustra". Madame Soustra had indeed posed for the painting, as one saved letter suggests; however, she was only the model for the hands, not the entire portrait.