Juliette Récamier as Beatrice at The Musée des Beaux-Arts, Lyon

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Jeanne-Françoise Julie Adélaïde Récamier, known as Juliette, led Parisian society from 1777 until her passing in 1849. The French leader's salon attracted influential figures from both the literary and political worlds of early 19th century France. Récamier formed a close bond with Antonio Canova, an artist who often found himself enamored by her beauty. His admiration led him to gift Juliette one of his renowned works, titled "The Three Graces". However, their relationship was momentarily strained when Canova presented her with a sculpted bust of herself, crafted from memory. Known as "Juliette Récamier as Beatrice", the piece showcased an idealized version of Juliette, featuring a classic Greek profile. Despite this slight misstep, their friendship remained unscathed.