ART

Séraphine de Senlis's life is like her work: rich, prolific and obscure. Orphaned at the age of seven, she was raised by her elder sister and swiftly left to her own fate. As a maid at the convent of La Charité de la Providence in Clermont-de-l'Oise, she plunged into religious life and became steeped in the images of piety surrounding her.

- Dee Clements

A few weeks ago I saw a movie called Seraphine. The film was about the eccentric French painter Seraphine Louis (1864-1942). Very little is actually known about her life, however, one fact is known that before she had turned 8, both of her parents had died leaving her to become a housekeeper and servant, an occupation she had for most of her life. As an adult, Seraphine rented a small secluded room in the town of Senlis, France where she lived and painted by candlelight at night 'using colors that she made herself from unusual and exotic ingredients she never revealed that have stood the test of time for durable vividness.

In 1912 Seraphine's paintings were discovered by the German art collector Wilhelm Uhde. Uhde came to Senlis for a rest from his work as an art critic. He had rented a large apartment and hired Seraphine as his housekeeper. His neighbors upon finding out that they were living next to the prominent art dealer, critic, writer and collector Wilhelm Uhde invited him to a dinner party to discuss art and culture. Uhde accepted the invitation and attended. During dinner Uhde saw a painting of some Apples, striking and unusual in color and form, he Marveled at the beauty, strangeness and artistry of the piece. Uhde inquired about the artist learning that it was in fact a painting done by his housekeeper Seraphine.