… of Lady Hamilton as a Sybyl’, 1792, Private collection. Image Front cover of Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun’s Souvenirs (Paris, Fournier, vol. 3, 1837). Source: Gallica BnF. Image Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, ‘Self-Portrait in a Straw … on Joseph Vernet’s counsel, Vigée Le Brun embarked on a career as a portraitist. Though still quite young, she conquered Paris, her skill and charm propelling her into the limelight of worldly sociability. In 1776, she wed Jean-Baptiste … for the white chemise gown in Europe. 1 . Jean-Baptiste Le Brun, Précis historique de la vie de la citoyenne Lebrun (À Paris, chez l’auteur, An II). 2 . See Mary D. Sheriff, The Exceptional Woman. Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun and the Cultural …