Self-Portrait with Her Daughter, Julie (Madame Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun et sa fille, Julie)
Reproduction print (likely a lithograph or photogravure) on paper or board, housed in an oval decorative frame. • Original by Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun; this specific object is an anonymous commercial reproduction.
Style & Movement
Neoclassicism / Rococo transitional style (based on the original 18th-century work).
Medium & Technique
Mechanical print reproduction of an original oil on canvas. The original painting utilizes glazing and soft sfumato techniques, while this version is a flat color print.
Creation Period
Late 19th to mid-20th century (reproduction of a 1789 original).
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 8x10 or 11x14 inches; oval portrait format.
Subject Description
A sentimental depiction of maternal love featuring the artist, Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, embracing her daughter Julie. The figures are dressed in 'en gaulle' or Grecian-inspired attire, symbolizing the naturalism and domestic intimacy popular in the late 18th century.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Fair. The print shows some evidence of slight fading and surface dust. The frame exhibits minor scuffs on the red outer rim and gilt loss on the inner bead.
Estimated Market Value
$30 - $75 (as a decorative reproduction).
Auction Estimate
$20 - $50.
Provenance History
Unknown; likely a mid-market decorative item sold through a gallery or department store during the 20th century for domestic interior decoration.
Art Historical Significance
The original painting is a masterpiece of the Louvre collection and a key example of female agency and maternal iconography in Neoclassicism. As a reproduction, this piece signifies the enduring popular appeal of Vigée Le Brun’s work in the modern era.
Notable Features
The distinctive two-tone oval frame (gilt and red) suggests a mid-20th-century decorative style intended to mimic European antique aesthetics.
Condition Issues
Visible edge wear on the frame, potential age-toning of the paper under the glass, and minor abrasions to the red lacquer finish of the frame.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep out of direct sunlight to prevent further UV fading of the pigments. Standard dry dusting of the frame is sufficient.