A rare pastel portrait signed by Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun, the famous 18th-century artist who served as Marie Antoinette's official portrait painter, will be offered for sale at auction this weekend in Coutances, France. The artwork, titled "Portrait of Woman in Bust," represents a significant discovery for art enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.

The painting has remained within the same family for generations, specifically the family of General Junot's secretary, an officer from the First Empire period, according to Me Bourreau, the auctioneer at Coutances. "We were very pleased to discover such a beautiful signature!" Bourreau stated, expressing excitement about the find.

Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun (1755-1842) stands among the greatest portraitists of her era. Born into the petite bourgeoisie, she successfully found her place among the kingdom's elite, particularly with the king and his family, as documented by the Palace of Versailles. Her career reached its pinnacle in 1778 when she became Marie Antoinette's official portrait painter, cementing her status as one of the most influential artists of her time.

This particular work represents a rare example of the artist's early period, created when Vigée Le Brun was only 17 years old in 1772. Me De Bayser, an expert in ancient drawings, notes that "you can still sense the classical practice taught by her father Louis Vigée." The artwork is currently displayed in his cabinet for viewing before the auction.

De Bayser further explains that "the stroke is not yet as free and graceful as in her known works." However, he emphasizes the rarity of such early pieces, noting increased interest since the major retrospective dedicated to Vigée Le Brun at the Grand Palais in 2015. This exhibition brought renewed attention to her complete body of work and artistic development.

The pastel, measuring 65 cm by 54.5 cm on mounted paper, will be sold in its original frame. Despite the artist's renowned status, the estimated price remains relatively modest at 5,000 to 6,000 euros. The auctioneer's office acknowledges that "the work is not brand new" and has suffered some pigment detachment over the centuries.

De Bayser confirms the condition issues, explaining that "pastel is often a fragile medium. But a buyer might want to restore it." Despite these concerns, nothing dampens the enthusiasm surrounding the sale. The expert assures that "demand is there, and it's worldwide" for Vigée Le Brun's works.

When asked about the enduring appeal of Vigée Le Brun's art, De Bayser points to "her feminine softness – she envelops her subjects" as a defining characteristic that continues to captivate collectors and art lovers. This gentle approach distinguished her work from many of her contemporaries and contributed to her success in portraying the French aristocracy.

The "Portrait of Woman in Bust" (lot 183) will be offered at auction on Saturday, September 27, at the Coutances auction house by the firm of Me Eric Bourreau. The sale begins at 10:00 AM, providing collectors and art enthusiasts an opportunity to acquire a piece by one of history's most celebrated female artists.