Louise Catherine Breslau facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Louise Catherine Breslau
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Louise Catherine Breslau
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| Born |
Maria Luise Katharina Breslau
6 December 1856 Munich, Germany
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| Died | 12 May 1927 (aged 70) Paris, France
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| Nationality | German-born Swiss |
| Education | Académie Julian |
| Known for | Painting |
| Movement | Impressionnism |
| Spouse(s) | Madeleine Zillhardt |
Louise Catherine Breslau (born December 6, 1856 – died May 12, 1927) was a talented painter from Switzerland, born in Germany. She started drawing as a child to pass the time when she was sick in bed with asthma. Louise later studied art at the famous Académie Julian in Paris. Her paintings were shown at the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts salon, where she became a respected artist. She was even admired by famous people like Edgar Degas and Anatole France.
Contents
About Louise Catherine Breslau
Early Life and Childhood
Louise Catherine Breslau was born in Munich, Germany. Her full name was Maria Luise Katharina Breslau. When she was two years old, her family moved to Switzerland. Her father became a professor and head doctor at the University of Zurich.
Sadly, in 1866, her father died suddenly. Louise suffered from asthma her whole life. As a child, she often had to stay in bed. To make the time go by, she started drawing. This is how she discovered her love for art. She spent her childhood in Zurich, Switzerland. Later, she made Paris her home. A childhood friend, Lydia Escher, was inspired by Louise's creative spirit.
Becoming an Artist
After her father passed away, Louise was sent to a convent near Lake Constance. People hoped the quiet environment would help her asthma. It was during this time that her artistic talents really grew.
In the late 1800s, it was common for young ladies to learn drawing and piano. These skills were seen as good for a future wife and mother. But becoming a professional artist was very unusual and often not allowed.
By 1874, Louise had taken drawing lessons from a local Swiss artist, Eduard Pfyffer. She knew she needed to leave Switzerland to seriously study art. One of the few places where young women could study art was the Académie Julian in Paris.
At the Académie, Louise quickly impressed her teachers. She also met many other artists. Some classmates, like the Russian artist Marie Bashkirtseff, were even a bit jealous of her talent. She also became lifelong friends with Irish artist Sarah Purser and Swiss artist Sophie Schaeppi. Other friends included Maria Feller (Italy), and sisters Jenny Zillhardt and Madeleine Zillhardt.
In 1879, Louise showed her painting Tout passé at the Paris Salon. She was the only female student from the Académie Julian to have her work shown that year. Tout passé was a self-portrait that included two of her friends. Soon after, Louise changed her name to Louise Catherine. She opened her own art studio and regularly showed her work at the annual Salon. She even won medals!
Because of her success, many wealthy people in Paris asked her to paint their portraits. In 1890, she joined the Salon de la Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts. She not only showed her art there but also helped judge other artists' work. Eventually, she became the third woman artist, and the first foreign woman artist, to receive France's highest honor, the Legion of Honour.
Over the years, Louise became a respected friend to many famous artists and writers. These included Edgar Degas and Anatole France. A very special person in Louise's life was Madeleine Zillhardt. They spent over forty years together. Madeleine was a fellow student at the Académie Julian. She became Louise's model, close friend, and supporter.
When Louise died, Madeleine inherited her art and belongings. She later gave sixty of Louise's pastel drawings to the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Dijon. In 1932, Madeleine wrote a book about Louise called Louise Catherine Breslau et ses amis (Louise Catherine Breslau and her Friends).
Louise Breslau passed away in 1927. The next year, the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris held a special show of her work. Her art was also featured in another show in 1932. This show celebrated women who had studied at the Académie Julian.
Later Years and Personal Life
During World War I, Louise and Madeleine Zillhardt stayed at their home near Paris. Even though Louise had become a Swiss citizen years before, she showed her support for France. She drew many portraits of French soldiers and nurses going to the war front.
After the war, Louise spent more time quietly at home. She enjoyed painting flowers from her garden and spending time with friends.
Louise Breslau died in 1927 after a long illness. As she wished, Madeleine Zillhardt inherited much of her estate. Louise was buried next to her mother in the town of Baden, in Switzerland.
Louise Breslau's Legacy
Louise Catherine Breslau's work and life are still remembered today:
- A street in Paris, France, is named Place Louise-Catherine-Breslau-et-Madeleine-Zillhardt. It honors both Louise and Madeleine Zillhardt.
- A special boat in Paris, called the 'Louise-Catherine', is named after her. Madeleine Zillhardt bought it. The famous architect Le Corbusier redesigned the boat. It was used by the Salvation Army to help people who were homeless. The boat sank during a flood in 2018 and is waiting to be fixed.
- Louise's art was part of a 2018 art show called Women in Paris 1850-1900.
Selected Artworks
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Sculptor Jean Carriès
in his Studio -
Intimacy (Mother & sister of Louise Catherine Breslau)
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The Toilette (Madeleine Zillhardt)
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The Reader
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Louise Catherine Breslau in her studio
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Drawing of 'La Vie Pensive' with Madeleine Zillhardt by Louise Catherine Breslau
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'Gamines' bought by French government in 1890.
Where to See Her Art
Louise Breslau's paintings and drawings can be found in many public art collections:
In France
- Paris:
- Musée du Louvre (includes Portrait de Madeleine Zillhardt)
- Musée d'Orsay, Paris
- Petit Palais, Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris
- Musée Carnavalet
- Musée de Grenoble
- Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Genève
- Musée d'art moderne et contemporain, Strasbourg
- Musée des Beaux-Arts, Rouen
- Nice, musée des beaux-arts.
- Saint-Quentin: the 'Musée Antoine Lécuyer' shows Sous la lampe.Portrait de Madeleine Zillhardt
- Troyes, musée des beaux-arts.
- Versailles, château de Versailles.
- Musée des beaux-arts de Dijon
- The 'Musée Comtadin-Duplessis' in Carpentras (Provence) displays her famous painting Gamines (1890).
In Other Countries
- Ireland: National Gallery of Ireland
- Sweden: Nationalmuseum, Stockholm
- Switzerland:
- Bern Kunstmuseum
- Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts de Lausanne
- Kunstmuseum (Basel)
- The Museum of Art Lucerne shows Crying Woman (1905)
- United Kingdom: British Museum, London
- United States:
- Smithsonian American Art Museum
- Dallas Museum of Art
- Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
- Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, MA
See also
In Spanish: Louise Catherine Breslau para niños
