DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61284#0139
6o
VIGEE-LEBRUN
same loop of the Seine, was a place to which invitations were specially
welcome. It was not particularly pretty, and the house itself was not
picturesque. But it was the seat of the Comte de Vaudreuil, who had
bought it and furnished it “ plainly”—according to the ideas of the age
—and “ in the best taste.” As it had a little theatre, theatricals could
there be enjoyed with unusual advantage. Eminent professionals used to
assist, and comic-operas were performed in which Madame Dugazon, the
honey-voiced Garat, and the retired actors Cailleau and Laruette (superb
in parts of the “father” and “guardian” kind) shared the roles with
Madame Vigee-Lebrun, her brother Etienne and his charming wife, and
that wife’s brother M. de Riviere.
The Comte d’Artois (afterwards Charles X) and his followers were
often among the audience on these occasions, and the first time they
unexpectedly entered the theatre Madame Lebrun was so nervous that,
but for the confusion such a withdrawal must have caused, she would
have thrown up her part. However, “ our excellent Prince ” with his
“ usual grace ” came behind the scenes after the first piece “ to encourage
us with every imaginable compliment,” and all was well. Lebrun, by
the way, the artist’s husband, was custodian of the Comte d’Artois’
collection of pictures.
Early in 1780, Madame Lebrun stayed for some time at Rainey, in
the forest of Bondy, where the Due d’Orleans (grandson of the Regent)
had a country place. This veteran soldier was more devoted to intel-
lectual society than most of his race. He had been a keen amateur actor
in his time, but he did not “ return to the stage ” when the clever young
artist was staying with him and his morganatic wife, Madame de Montesson.
Had he done so, Madame Lebrun would have been less bored. As it was,
the only amusement she found at Rainey, apart from the society of the
amiable Madame Bertholet, “ who played very well on the harp,” was
in watching the meets and runs of the ducal buckhounds. “ I there
discovered,” she writes, “why it is that there are men, and especially
princes, who become passionately fond of hunting, for that exercise, where
a large number take part in it, certainly provides a grand spectacle. The
general movement, joined to the sound of the horns, has truly something
of a warlike effect.”
How truly an artist she here shows herself ! It is not the zest of the
chase, the exhilaration of the exercise on horseback in the open air, that,
in her opinion, make men go out hunting. It is the fine picture which
VIGEE-LEBRUN
same loop of the Seine, was a place to which invitations were specially
welcome. It was not particularly pretty, and the house itself was not
picturesque. But it was the seat of the Comte de Vaudreuil, who had
bought it and furnished it “ plainly”—according to the ideas of the age
—and “ in the best taste.” As it had a little theatre, theatricals could
there be enjoyed with unusual advantage. Eminent professionals used to
assist, and comic-operas were performed in which Madame Dugazon, the
honey-voiced Garat, and the retired actors Cailleau and Laruette (superb
in parts of the “father” and “guardian” kind) shared the roles with
Madame Vigee-Lebrun, her brother Etienne and his charming wife, and
that wife’s brother M. de Riviere.
The Comte d’Artois (afterwards Charles X) and his followers were
often among the audience on these occasions, and the first time they
unexpectedly entered the theatre Madame Lebrun was so nervous that,
but for the confusion such a withdrawal must have caused, she would
have thrown up her part. However, “ our excellent Prince ” with his
“ usual grace ” came behind the scenes after the first piece “ to encourage
us with every imaginable compliment,” and all was well. Lebrun, by
the way, the artist’s husband, was custodian of the Comte d’Artois’
collection of pictures.
Early in 1780, Madame Lebrun stayed for some time at Rainey, in
the forest of Bondy, where the Due d’Orleans (grandson of the Regent)
had a country place. This veteran soldier was more devoted to intel-
lectual society than most of his race. He had been a keen amateur actor
in his time, but he did not “ return to the stage ” when the clever young
artist was staying with him and his morganatic wife, Madame de Montesson.
Had he done so, Madame Lebrun would have been less bored. As it was,
the only amusement she found at Rainey, apart from the society of the
amiable Madame Bertholet, “ who played very well on the harp,” was
in watching the meets and runs of the ducal buckhounds. “ I there
discovered,” she writes, “why it is that there are men, and especially
princes, who become passionately fond of hunting, for that exercise, where
a large number take part in it, certainly provides a grand spectacle. The
general movement, joined to the sound of the horns, has truly something
of a warlike effect.”
How truly an artist she here shows herself ! It is not the zest of the
chase, the exhilaration of the exercise on horseback in the open air, that,
in her opinion, make men go out hunting. It is the fine picture which