Virginie Demont-Breton, the daughter of the painter Jules Breton, emerged as an important figure in19th-century French art. Growing up in an artistic environment, she was encouraged from a young age to draw from nature. Her works, which include landscapes, still lifes, and scenes of rural life, reflect a noble and poetic sentiment which aimed to highlight the beauty of a simple, rural life. After marrying Adrien Demont, she developed her own style as she explored the themes of childhood, motherhood, and femininity. Her success came quickly; she won several medals at salons and international exhibitions, including the Legion of Honour in 1914.
Thanks to her fame, Virginie Demont-Breton played a crucial role in the recognition of women artists of her time. She joined the Union of Women Painters and Sculptors in 1883, of which she was president from 1895to 1901. With the help of sculptor Hélène Bertaux, she opened the École des Beaux-Arts to women and provided them with the opportunity to compete for the Prix de Rome.