Marie-Denise Villers
A painting created by the French artist Marie-Denise Villers features a young woman dressed in black who ties the laces of her white ballet shoes while resting her foot on a wooden bench. A pair of gloves and a rose are also lying on the bench. The subject’s gaze is directed away from the viewer, adding a sense of introspection and mystery to the composition. In the background, we see a stormy, romantic sky.
Marie-Denise Villers was a neoclassical painter who specialized in portraits. Her works are also significant for their contribution to the representation of women in art. During Villers' time, female artists often faced substantial challenges in gaining recognition and opportunities. It is a horrible fact, but some of her works were later attributed to male painters, like Jacques-Louis David. Fortunately, lately, her art has become more and more known among scholars.
P.S. If you love her works as much as we do, you should check out our Women Artists 50 Postcards Set with high-quality reproductions of paintings created by women artists forgotten by the official canon of art history.
P.P.S. The Louvre's recent discoveries prove that this intriguing painting is in fact a self-portrait! Explore Villers' masterpiece with us and take a closer look at each of its elements that prove the genius of this female painter.