during her lifetime. The opening of the memoir presents a heartfelt letter from Vigée-Lebrun to her friend, in which she reflects on her early memories and the formative years spent in a convent. She describes her innate passion for painting, which blossomed in her childhood as she sketched on anything available, and highlights the influence of her artistic family, particularly her father's encouragement. As she recalls her path to becoming a painter, the opening segment lays a foundation for an exploration of her artistic journey, including her encounters with notable figures and the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated profession. The vivid anecdotes she shares set the stage for a deeper dive into her life and the pivotal moments that shaped her career and aspirations. (This is an automatically generated summary.)