Uploaded December 2023 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In the 18th century, a French artist named Anne Vallayer-Coster, who painted for Marie Antoinette, thought this painting was her best work. Many people wanted to buy it from her while she was alive, but she denied them all. She kept the painting in her personal collection until her death.
Years later, the painting was sold at an auction to one of her family members. After that, it was never seen publicly again. “We knew about the painting, but we didn’t know where it was,” says Aaron Wile, associate curator of French paintings.
Then, in 2022, the painting reappeared.
See this work come to life, and read the full story behind our new acquisition:
nga.gov/stories/anne-vallayer-coster-painting-missing-centuries.html?fbclid=IwAR2b-hicVFXoVxe5uLEolXWEHNywNR8x63AD3z36-fy8rB2RMx0B5ix5RGg
In the 18th century, a French artist named Anne Vallayer-Coster, who painted for Marie Antoinette, thought this painting was her best work. Many people wanted to buy it from her while she was alive, but she denied them all. She kept the painting in her personal collection until her death.
Years later, the painting was sold at an auction to one of her family members. After that, it was never seen publicly again. “We knew about the painting, but we didn’t know where it was,” says Aaron Wile, associate curator of French paintings.
Then, in 2022, the painting reappeared.
See this work come to life, and read the full story behind our new acquisition:
nga.gov/stories/anne-vallayer-coster-painting-missing-centuries.html?fbclid=IwAR2b-hicVFXoVxe5uLEolXWEHNywNR8x63AD3z36-fy8rB2RMx0B5ix5RGg
