Arsène Houssaye facts for kids
Arsène Houssaye (born March 28, 1815 – died February 26, 1896) was a well-known French writer. He wrote novels, poems, and many other interesting things. He was also a respected figure in the French art and theater world.
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Life and Works of Arsène Houssaye
Arsène Houssaye was born in a town called Bruyères in France. His first family name was Housset. When he was about 17 years old, he moved to Paris, the capital city of France.
Early Career and Friendships
In 1836, Arsène Houssaye published his first two novels. He quickly made many friends in Paris, including other famous writers like Jules Janin and Théophile Gautier. He even wrote some books with his friend Jules Sandeau.
Houssaye was a very busy writer. He wrote about many different topics. He wrote about art, history, and literature. He also wrote plays and poems. Some of his most famous works include Histoire du quarante et unième fauteuil de l'Académie française. This book was a funny look at famous people who didn't get chosen for the French Academy.
Leading the Comédie-Française
In 1849, Arsène Houssaye was given a very important job. He became the leader of the Comédie-Française, which is a famous theater in Paris. He got this job thanks to the help of a well-known actress named Rachel.
He was very good at this job and led the theater successfully for ten years, until 1859. After that, he became a general inspector for fine arts in France. This meant he helped oversee art and cultural projects.
The Mystery of Leonardo da Vinci's Bones
Searching for Leonardo's Remains
In 1863, Arsène Houssaye was involved in an exciting discovery. He was digging at a castle called Chateau d'Amboise in France. This castle is in the beautiful Loire Valley. While digging, he found some old bones and stone pieces. The stones had part of an inscription that read 'EO [...] DUS VINC'.
What Houssaye Believed He Found
Houssaye thought the bones belonged to the famous artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci. He noticed that the skull was unusually large. He believed this was a sign that they were indeed Leonardo's remains. Because of his belief, the bones were reburied in a special chapel at the same castle.
Ongoing Doubts and DNA Tests
However, not everyone was sure that these were truly Leonardo's bones. A plaque above the tomb today says that the remains are only "presumed" to be Leonardo's. This means people are not 100% certain. In 2016, scientists announced they would do DNA tests on the bones. They hoped these tests would finally prove if the bones belonged to Leonardo da Vinci.
Later Life and Legacy
Arsène Houssaye wrote his life story in a book called Confessions, souvenirs d'un demi-siècle. He passed away in Paris. His son, Henry Houssaye, also became a famous writer and historian.
Images for kids
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Arsène Houssaye was a famous French writer.
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A fun drawing of Arsène Houssaye by André Gill.
