Her portrait by David is one of the most iconic paintings in the Louvre’s entire collection, and attracts millions of viewers each year. As she reclines on her sofa, a sofa she popularized so much that it now bears her name, she teases us with her curly hair, rosy cheeks, and inscrutable smile. Though her image has been reproduced in countless mediums across the globe, few know that she was one of the most remarkable women of the nineteenth century, and inspired the greatest artists, writers, intellects, and politicians of her day, with not only her unrivaled beauty but with the goodness of her heart.

In this episode of ArtMuse, we share the immense life story of Madame Juliette Récamier, a French socialite and famed beauty, affectionately dubbed the “darling of Europe”. In fact, her looks were so enchanting, that she drove some of the most powerful men of all of history wild with desire, including Napoleon Bonaparte, his brother Lucien, and the Prince of Prussia. Be sure to follow ArtMuse on Instagram & TikTok. Donate to ArtMuse HERE.

ArtMuse is produced by Kula Production Company.

Today’s episode was written by host Grace Anna.

There are accompanying images, resources and suggestions for further

reading on the ArtMuse website and Instagram.