Louisa Courtauld facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Louisa Courtauld
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Louisa Courtauld, c. 1770
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| Born |
Louisa Perina Ogier
1729 Moncoutant, Deux-Sèvres, France
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| Died | 12 January 1807 (aged 78) Clapton, Hackney, London, England
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| Nationality | English |
| Known for | Silversmith |
| Movement | Rococo, Neoclassicism |
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Louisa Perina Courtauld (born Ogier; 1729 – 12 January 1807) was a talented silversmith. She was born in France but became famous for her work in England.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Louisa was the youngest daughter of French Protestants, known as Huguenots. Her parents, Pierre Abraham Ogier and Catherine Rabaud, were silk weavers. When Louisa was young, her family moved to London, England. This is where she would spend most of her life and career.
Their family home in London is now a museum. It shows how different people have come to live in England over time.
Marriage and Children
When Louisa was 20, she married Samuel Courtauld. Samuel was also from a family of French Protestants. His father, Augustin Courtauld, was a skilled metalsmith.
Louisa and Samuel had eight children together. Sadly, only four of them lived to be adults. Their son, George, later started a connection to the famous textile company, Courtaulds.
Running a Silver Business
Louisa and Samuel ran a very successful business together. They made beautiful items out of silver. Their workshop was known for its high-quality work.
Sadly, Samuel Courtauld passed away in 1765. Louisa then took over the business all by herself. She was a strong and independent woman. She continued to run the company successfully until 1769.
New Business Partners
A few years later, Louisa took on George Cowles as a business partner. George had been the main apprentice in their workshop. An apprentice is someone who learns a skill from a master.
In 1777, Louisa's son, Samuel Courtauld II, joined the business. He took George Cowles's place as a partner. They even registered a new special mark for their silver items. This mark showed who made the piece.
This partnership lasted for three years. After that, Louisa and her son decided to close the business. They sold it to another person named John Henderson. Louisa's son, Samuel, moved to America. Louisa herself retired to Essex, a county in England.
Art Styles and Legacy
Louisa Courtauld's company was famous for its excellent silver items. When she and her husband started, they made silver in the Rococo style. This was a popular art style from France. It used lots of curves and fancy decorations.
Later, people's tastes changed. A new style called Neoclassicism became popular. This style was simpler and inspired by ancient Greek and Roman art. Louisa's company changed its designs to fit this new trend.
Louisa was one of the very few successful female silversmiths in London during her time. Another famous female silversmith was Elizabeth Godfrey. It was rare for women to run such big businesses back then.
Her Portrait
A portrait was painted of Louisa Courtauld. Some people think the famous artist Johann Zoffany painted it. He was known for painting members of the British royal family. However, it is more likely that Nathaniel Dance-Holland painted her portrait.
Later Life and Burial
After she retired, Louisa Courtauld lived in Clapton, a part of London. She also lived in Essex for some time.
Louisa passed away on January 12, 1807. She was first buried in a church in East London. Years later, her body was moved. She was reburied in Gosfield Church in Essex in 2002.
Images for kids
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Louisa Courtauld, around 1770.
