I have posted before about Séraphine de Senlis
The 2008 bio-pic about the French artist Séraphine Louis (called simply "Seraphine") brought her art to public attention. Her life was tragic. Her pictures have a dazzling intensity and power. She was motivated by a rather idiosyncratic religious fervour. She was a self-taught painter (beginning only in her forties) in the naïve style
Seraphine was a cleaner and maid from the town of Senlis, north of Paris.
In 1912, Wilhelm Uhde, the German art critic and dealer, spotted a small painting of a bunch of flowers by Seraphine. He befriended her and began a professional association
Sadly Seraphine was eventually confined to an asylum, where she died in 1942, buried in a common grave, forgotten.
A few years ago a plaque was placed nearby. It reads:
"Here Seraphine Louis Mallard (without rival) rests … while waiting for happy resurrection."
Séraphine Louis (1864-1942) (known as Séraphine de Senlis) in the 1920s
From LEXPRESS.fr
Séraphine Louis (1864-1942) (known as Séraphine de Senlis)
Bouquets de mimosas
Oil on canvas
1.45 m x 0.97m
Musée du Vieux Château, Laval
Séraphine Louis (1864-1942) (known as Séraphine de Senlis)
L'arbre du paradis
c.1929
Oil on canvas
1.95m x 1.3m
Musée d'Art et d'Archéologie, Senlis
Séraphine Louis (1864-1942) (known as Séraphine de Senlis)
Arbre rouge
1928
Oil on canvas
1.93m x 1.3m
Musée national d'Art moderne - Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris
Séraphine Louis (1864-1942) (known as Séraphine de Senlis)
Grenades sur fond vert 1927 -30
Oil on canvas
92 cm x 73 cm
Musée international d'Art Naïf Anatole Jakovsky, Nice
Séraphine Louis (1864-1942) (known as Séraphine de Senlis)
Arbre
1930
Oil on canvas
1.46m x 1.14m
Kunsthalle, Hamburg
just seen the film Seraphine. Deeply moving.
ReplyDeletea very talented soul!
ReplyDeleteI just saw it on the 4th also. I am so glad I learned of Seraphine.
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I discovered the film on Netflix and were deeply moved by her humble life and the intensity of her work. We noted a reference to "those in Paris who paint like children" and assume that was a reference to the "Impressionists" movement also active in Paris during this time. By the way, The Impressionists, produced by the BBC is highly recommended and is also available via Netflix.
ReplyDeleteJust finished watching the movie of Seraphine, just wondering, specially after the wedding scene if Seraphine suffered from Bipolar disorder - often people who suffers from Bipolar disorder, most of the time very creative people - like Van Gogh - ended up in asylums, does anyone agree with me? I can actually relate to this movie, very moving!
ReplyDeleteMagnific and beautiful. Very creative, wonderful and proud!! The movie is touching.
ReplyDeleteI love it.
Loved the film and the story has stuck w/me.
ReplyDeleteVery intrigued w/ her life and thankful for the one photo above which truly depicts her.
I dream of oneday owning one of her paintings - what masterpieces they are!
Thank you for the images of Seraphine's work. I also learned about her from the movie. Her work is truly inspiring!
ReplyDeleteHave recently seen the film profiling her and must say it was quite moving. As an artist myself, I have often wondered about 'the line' between madness and creativity. I have been creative since a child as were my parents siblings and many relatives. Unfortunately, we also have madness in our family, some cases so severe, they resulted in suicide. I'm afraid I may end up like Seraphine someday.
ReplyDeleteSaw this movie today, very interesting and masterfully made., this why I am here. Story about artist's soul. Loved it.
ReplyDeleteMagnifique l'histoire de cette femme. Merci
ReplyDelete