Gisèle d'Estoc facts for kids

Gisèle d'Estoc was the pen name for Marie-Paule Alice Courbe. She was born on March 27, 1845, and passed away on May 8, 1894. Gisèle was a French writer, sculptor, and a strong supporter of women's rights, known as a feminist. She also enjoyed fencing and sometimes dressed in ways that challenged traditional gender roles. She used other names like Mme Paule Parent Des Barres, Gyz-El, and G. d’Estoc.

About Gisèle d'Estoc

Gisèle d'Estoc, born Marie-Paule Alice Courbe, came into the world in Nancy, France. She learned how to sculpt from famous artists like Delorme and Chapu. Her sculptures were shown at the Salon in Paris, which was a very important art show.

In 1881, she showed a sculpture called Un peintre. The next year, she displayed Tête d'Etude, a bust. During this time, she became close friends with another artist, Marie-Edmée Pau. They both admired Joan of Arc and explored ideas about gender identity together.

Moving to Paris and Writing

Later, Gisèle moved to Paris and started her career as a writer. She often wrote about important topics like social justice and feminism. Feminism is the belief that women should have the same rights and opportunities as men.

She believed women should be responsible for their own actions. For example, she once criticized a journalist for having her husband fight a duel for her. A duel was a formal fight between two people, usually with swords or pistols. Gisèle ended her criticism by saying, "equal skills, equal pay," which meant people should earn the same amount of money if they do the same quality of work.

Joining the Women's Movement

Using the name "G. d'Estoc," she joined a group called the "League for the emancipation of women." This group was started in 1889 by Marie-Rose Astié de Valsayre. The name "d’Estoc" hinted at her love for fencing and her unique way of dressing.

Gisèle also joined a group of women fencers. Astié believed that women should learn to use swords to defend their causes. A year before she passed away, Gisèle d'Estoc even ran for election in 1893. She died in Nice, France, at the age of 49.

Gisèle d'Estoc's Impact

After Gisèle's death, people looked back at her life. One writer, Pierre Borel, didn't paint a very positive picture of her. However, another important figure, Madeleine Pelletier, admired Gisèle. Madeleine saw Gisèle's fencing and unique style of dress as a way for women to gain freedom and express themselves brightly. In 2013, Mélanie C. Hawthorne wrote a book about Gisèle's life.

Selected Works

Sculptures

• Mme Paule-Marie-Alice PARENT DES BARRES, Un peintre, 1881
• Mme Paule-Marie-Alice PARENT DES BARRES, Tête d'Etude, 1882

Publications

• G. d’Estoc, Comme quoi les Jésuites pourraient bien ne pas descendre du singe - avis à Darwin, 1880
• G. d’Estoc, La Vierge réclame, "Les Gloires malsaines", 1887
• Gyz-El, Noir sur blanc, récits lorrains, 1887
• G. d’Estoc, "Cahier d'amour" (1893), Guy de Maupassant - Poèmes érotiques, 1993