Suzanne Valadon (1865–1938), born Marie-Clémentine Valadon, was a pioneering French painter who transitioned from a celebrated artists' model to a distinguished artist in her own right. Raised in Montmartre, Paris, she began modeling for renowned artists such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, gaining firsthand exposure to artistic techniques. Encouraged by Edgar Degas, who recognized her talent and purchased her work, Valadon developed a distinctive style characterized by bold lines, vibrant colors, and unidealized depictions of the human form. Her subjects included female nudes, still lifes, and portraits, often portraying women with a frankness that challenged contemporary norms. In 1894, she broke barriers by becoming the first woman admitted to the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts. Valadon's legacy endures through her contributions to Post-Impressionism and her role in redefining the representation of women in art. Her works are housed in major institutions, including the Centre Pompidou and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.