On an early spring day in 1789, Laneve was hosting another of her lunches. These gatherings regularly welcomed small groups of France’s creative and intelligent young women while their stimulating conversation always lifted Laneve’s spirits. Earlier in the morning, the three invited guests had walked through her lovely gardens admiring the first crocuses and the flowering almond and peach blossoms. A bouquet of their deep pink buds and mauve double lilacs decorated the dining room. Gathered around the table were an artistic group that included: Adelaide Labille-Guiard, a renowned portrait painter who had recently been accepted to the Academie Royale, Angelique Gretry, who had successfully composed her second opera and Marie Duval, now a concert pianist and young mother. While their conversation was lively at first, a sense of consternation soon filled the air. ‘Oh Laneve, you don’t know how fortunate you are to live in the countryside, away from Paris. The city is becoming a very dangerous place now.
