Souvenirs de Madame Louise-Élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun, Tome second

A lively portrait of a wandering artist’s life unfolds as she recounts her journey through northern Italy. After a rain‑soaked trek that leaves her and her daughter famished, she is rescued by the generous Professor Porporati in Turin, whose home becomes a brief sanctuary. Through her eyes we glimpse the city’s orderly streets, the imposing Superga hill, and a royal museum filled with striking works that reveal both local taste and the lingering influence of great masters.

The narrative then moves to Parma, where a kindly Count de Flavigny and his wife extend warm hospitality to the weary travelers. Their gracious reception opens a window onto the courtly world of the era, while the author’s keen observations of art, music, and society paint a vivid tableau of cultural life on the road. These early chapters set a tone of curiosity, resilience, and the unexpected kindness that colors her remarkable travels.