The images and information presented below are for the instruction of students and scholarly research.
Seraphine Louis
(1864-1934)
Tree of
Paradise, 1925
Seraphine Louis was a
Neo-Primitive French painter who used flowers and the
human form to create colorful and fantastical
compositions. Originally a shepherdess and kitchen
worker, Louis taught herself to paint, and is sometimes
credited as Seraphine de Senlis. She is said to have
been one of the most influential of all the French na•ve
artists, second only to Henri Rousseau.
Fleurs
There is much mystique
surrounding the legend of Seraphine Louis. It is said
that when she painted, she was in a trancelike state,
and that she was considered crazy from 1930 on, and
sadly died in an asylum. Despite the fact that she was a
fairly accomplished artist, Louis lived a life of
relative poverty, and often had trouble simply obtaining
canvas to work on.
Blatter and Berries, 1920
Today her work is
housed all over Paris, and perhaps in your own home.
Though she did not likely travel abroad due to her
relative poverty, there is no telling where or to whom
she may have sold her paintings. Still wondering about a
French na•ve painting in your home? Contact us...it may
be by Seraphine Louise.
