Marie Gabrielle Capet: A Parisian Portraitist Capturing the Spirit of Her Time Marie Gabrielle Capet (1761 – 1818) stands as a testament to artistic ambition and perseverance within the restrictive confines of eighteenth-century French society. Born in Lyon, her early life remains shrouded in obscurity, yet her trajectory toward becoming one of Paris’s most celebrated neoclassical painters is undeniably remarkable—a story interwoven with intellectual curiosity and mentorship from Adelaide Labille-Guiard. Her journey exemplifies the challenges faced by women pursuing artistic careers during t…