CHAPTER XIV.

THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.

Close of the golden Age of Art in France.--Corruption of Manners.--Influence of female Genius.--Reign of Louis XVI.--Female Energy in the Revolution.--Charlotte Corday.--Greater Number of female Artists in Germany.--Reasons why.--French Women devoted to Engraving.--Stamp-cutters.--A Sculptress enamored.--A few Paintresses.--The Number increasing.--Influence of the great French Masters.--Sèvres-painting.--Genre-painting.--Disciples of Greuze.--Portrait-painting in vogue.--Caroline Sattler.--Flower-painters, etc.--Engravers.--Two eminent Paintresses.--Adelaide Vincent.--Marriage.--Portraits and other Works.--The Revolution.--Elizabeth Le Brun.--Talent for Painting.--Her Father’s Delight.--Instruction.--Friendship with Vernet.--Poverty and Labor.--Avaricious Step-father.--Her Earnings squandered.--Success and Temptation.--Acquaintance with Le Brun.--Maternal Counsels to Marriage.--Secret Marriage.--Warnings too late.--The Mask falls.--Luxury for the Husband, Labor and Privation for the Wife.--Success and Scandal.--French Society.--Friendship with Marie Antoinette.--La Harpe’s Poem.--Evening Receptions.--Splendid Entertainments.--Scarcity of Seats.--Petits Soupers.--The Grecian Banquet.--Reports concerning it.--Departure from France.--Triumphal Progress.--Reception in Bologna.--In Rome.--In Naples.--In Florence.--Madame Le Brun’s Portrait.--Goethe’s Remarks.--New Honors.--Reception at Vienna.--An old Friend in Berlin.--Residence in Russia.--Return to France.--Loyalty.--Her Pictures.--Death of her Husband and Daughter.--Advanced Age.--Autobiography.--An emblematic Life. 199