Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun wrote in her memoirs: :
After my return from Flanders [circa 1782]'', the
Self-portrait in a Straw Hat and several other works of mine, were the cause of
Joseph Vernet's decision to propose me as a member of the
Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture. Monsieur Pierre, then
Premier peintre du Roi (first Painter to the King), made strong opposition, not wishing, he said, that women should be admitted. ... Monsieur Pierre, a very mediocre painter, was a clever man. Besides, he was rich, ... His opposition might have become fatal to me if all true picture-lovers had not been associated with the Academy, and if they had not formed a cabal, in my favour, against M. Pierre's. At last I was admitted ...'' ==Gallery==