Portrait-painting was more in vogue than any other kind, and that almost altogether in oil; while miniature-painting, so much in favor among the women of Germany, was in France much less practiced. Among those who gained some celebrity, Caroline Sattler deserves mention. She studied in Paris, and was not only received as a member of the Academy in that city, but was honored with the title of Professor. Some time afterward she gave her hand to a merchant named Tridon, and went to live in Dresden.
Landscape-painting was practiced by very few women. In flower-painting Madeleine Françoise Basseporte was noted. She was born in 1701, received her instruction from Aubriet, and in 1743 succeeded him in his official appointment in the Jardin des Plantes. She painted a series of pieces for the collection of the Duc Gaston d’Orleans, which are still exhibited as masterworks of art.
Madame Kugler, the wife of Von Weyler, painted the portraits of distinguished persons in ivory, and had fine pieces, in enamel and pastel, in the exhibition in 1789. She was employed by the government, and worked after her husband’s plans. For twelve years she was distinguished for her labors.
Mesdames Charpentier, Surigny, Capet, Bruyère, Michaud, Davin, Mirnaux, Anzon, and Benoit—who painted the emperor—were also well known as artists.
Susanna Silvestre came of a French family of painters. She copied heads and portraits after Vandyck.
As to the class of women, already noticed, who embraced the profession of engravers, they were almost innumerable; yet it is difficult to select any who merit special attention. One of the number—Marguerite Leconte—about the middle of the century was a member of Art-academies in Rome, Florence, and Bologna, and enjoyed a position of high distinction. Geneviéve Naugis, born in Paris in 1746, worked before she became the wife of Regnault. She copied plants from nature, and engraved in copper; she also copied history-pieces after different masters.
Fanny Vernet engraved the pictures painted by her husband, Charles Vernet; and, in her son Horace, gave to French art one of its greatest ornaments.
Elizabeth Clara Tardieu was the wife of an eminent French engraver, and was accustomed to practice the art herself with success.
Mary Magdalen Hortemels, the daughter of a French engraver, and the wife of Cochin, was a noted engraver. She executed with the point and finished with the graver, in a light and pleasing style. Several of the plates for Monicart’s treatise on the pictures, statues, etc., at Versailles were done by her.
Marie Rosalie Bertaud and Louise Adelaide Boizot were excellent engravers.