Ode to a smoking woman

8 March 2025

This year, the Amsterdam Pipe Museum pays tribute to one woman who earned her own income from 1770 onwards, was known and loved in the highest circles of society, in fact, she completely overshadowed her husband. Her name is Élisabeth Vigée-Le Brun, a French woman from the late 18th century. In her time, she was a much sought-after portrait painter; she made about 700 of these. She was therefore able to live in luxury. Queen Marie-Antoinette was painted by Élisabeth no less than thirty times! Among her work we find many self-portraits. In one of them, she shows herself to be a truly self-confident woman: she smokes a pipe, absolutely not done for ladies of her standing. As an artist, she takes that liberty and even dares to show it! Rightly so: a strong woman. The portrait of Élisabeth Vigée with pipe can be seen in the Amsterdam Pipe Museum from 8 March, International Women's Day, until 8 November 2025.

Focus on Tea Drinkers

3 March 2025

In our central display case, we will put the spotlight on a special porcelain pipe bowl for some weeks to come. This is a recent acquisition of the greatest sophistication. The pipe has a subtle relief of rocailles in the purest rococo style. A painting of a tea-drinking family has been applied to the flat field in the centre of this decoration. The dating of this precious pipe bowl corresponds to the heyday of the rococo, the 1730’s. In addition to this pipe, we are showing several similar models with equally lovely decorations, now with flowers in different styles. One of these is in typical Japanese painting style, with several branches in the so-called kakiemon style. These porcelain pipes can be seen from March 3^rd to May 4^th in the main room of the Amsterdam Pipe Museum.