1920s Vigée-Lebrun Self-Portrait Louvre Museum Lapina Art Postcard Female Artist

"RARE 1920s-1930s VIGÉE-LEBRUN SELF-PORTRAIT POSTCARD - ICONIC FEMALE ARTIST & DAUGHTER - LOUVRE MUSEUM TREASURE

Discover a precious piece of art history with this remarkable vintage postcard from the interwar period featuring Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun's most beloved self-portrait. This exquisite Lapina-printed museum card captures one of the most significant works by a female artist in Western art history - a tender moment between mother and daughter that transcends time.

Produced in Paris during the 1920s-1930s this original Louvre Museum postcard represents a vanishing era of art appreciation and museum collecting. These delicate paper treasures are becoming increasingly scarce as they disappear into permanent collections or succumb to the ravages of time.

DESCRIPTION

This sepia/monochrome art reproduction postcard features Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun's iconic 1789 self-portrait with her daughter Julie. The image shows the artist as a beautiful young woman with curly dark hair in a flowing white neoclassical dress with dark sash tenderly embracing her similarly-dressed daughter.

The intimate pose captures the deep maternal bond that made this painting so revolutionary for its time - a celebration of motherhood by a woman who broke barriers in the male-dominated art world. Vigée-Lebrun's remarkable skill is evident even in this reproduction with the luminous quality of the skin and fabric and the emotional directness that made her famous.

Official Louvre Museum identification appears on the card with catalog numbers 'L.M 4950' and 'C.gue 521' along with the artist identification 'MME E.L. VIGÉE-LEBRUN (École Française)'. The bilingual title reads 'PORTRAIT DE MME VIGÉE-LEBRUN ET DE SA FILLE' / 'PAINTED BY HERSELF' - emphasizing the groundbreaking nature of this self-portrait.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun (1755-1842) was one of the most important female artists in history overcoming extraordinary barriers to become the official portrait painter to Queen Marie Antoinette. Creating this self-portrait in 1789 - the very year the French Revolution began - it represents both the height of her success and a pivotal moment before her life would be upended by political turmoil.

This painting demonstrates how Vigée-Lebrun revolutionized the portrayal of women and motherhood in art. Rather than the stiff formal poses typical of the era she presents herself and her daughter in a warm natural embrace that emphasizes emotional connection over social status.

The work is even more remarkable considering Vigée-Lebrun created it while navigating the male-dominated art world of 18th century France. She was one of only four women admitted to the prestigious Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture and this self-portrait can be seen as both a professional statement and a celebration of her role as a mother.

CONDITION

This vintage postcard remains in good condition for its considerable age (approximately 90-100 years old). The image retains its clarity and detail despite the passage of nearly a century.

As expected with ephemera of this age the card shows moderate toning/yellowing consistent with vintage paper products. There are some minor surface scratches light corner and edge wear and scattered foxing spots that don't significantly detract from the overall presentation.

A small pencil price mark '.25' appears in the top left corner of the back likely from a previous owner or dealer. The card has been stored in a protective sleeve helping preserve it from further deterioration.

AGE/ERA

This postcard dates to the interwar period (approximately 1920s-1940s) based on multiple identification factors. The Lapina printing mark ('Printed in Paris - Lapina') is particularly significant in dating this piece as Lapina was renowned for high-quality art reproductions during this specific period.

The typography card stock and printing techniques all align with museum postcards produced between the World Wars. The divided back format with faint dotted address lines was standard for this era and the absence of modern printing techniques confirms its vintage authenticity.

This period represents a golden age of art postcard collecting when visitors to the Louvre would purchase these cards both as souvenirs and as a way to study great works before the era of widespread color photography and digital reproduction. Each surviving card offers a tangible connection to how art was experienced and appreciated nearly a century ago.

RARITY

While Louvre Museum postcards were certainly produced in quantity surviving examples from the interwar period in good condition are becoming increasingly difficult to find. With each passing year these fragile paper treasures disappear from circulation as they deteriorate or enter permanent collections.

Lapina-printed museum postcards are particularly sought after by collectors for their superior reproduction quality and historical significance. The early 20th century printing techniques used by this prestigious Parisian publisher resulted in tonal qualities that capture the essence of the original artwork in ways modern reproductions often cannot match.

Cards featuring female artists like Vigée-Lebrun have additional scarcity value as women's contributions to art history have been historically underrepresented but are now increasingly valued by collectors and institutions alike. This convergence of art historical importance and vintage ephemera makes this postcard especially desirable.

COLLECTOR'S NOTE

There is a unique joy in holding authentic historical ephemera that connects us to both art history and the history of how art has been experienced. This postcard represents not just Vigée-Lebrun's masterpiece but also how her work was appreciated and circulated during a specific moment in time.

For collectors of women artists French art portraiture or museum memorabilia this vintage Louvre postcard offers multiple layers of significance. It serves as a tangible link to one of the most important female artists in Western history and to the interwar period of art appreciation.

As interest in women artists continues to grow these early documentations of their work become increasingly important historical artifacts. What was once simply a museum souvenir now stands as a testament to the enduring power of Vigée-Lebrun's revolutionary self-representation as both artist and mother.

SHIPPING NOTE

Buy multiple postcards and pay only ONE low shipping cost! I'm happy to combine shipping on any number of postcards to save you money.

This historical postcard will be shipped in a rigid protective sleeve between stiff cardboard to ensure it arrives in the same condition you see pictured. I take great care in packaging these fragile historical items.

SECURE THIS RARE PIECE OF ART HISTORY BEFORE IT'S GONE!

Don't miss your opportunity to own this beautiful vintage Vigée-Lebrun postcard from the golden age of museum collecting. As these early 20th century art postcards continue to disappear into permanent collections and institutional archives finding examples in such good condition becomes increasingly challenging. Once this remarkable piece of art history and early 20th century museum culture leaves my collection finding another comparable example may prove impossible."

 _gsrx_vers_1715 (GS 9.9.2 (1715))

Offered by Gosla Antiques & Collectibles, purveyors of antiquities, curiosities and collectible wares. Dispatched from Pennsylvania, United States, with tracking.