Ode to a smoking woman

8 mars 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.

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