Seraphine de Senlis, Visionary Artist
Rarely do I turn to movies as entertainment. If so… I want the beautiful, the different, the real.
“Seraphine” is a French movie of wonderfully lush length that held me {and will hold you} transfixed the entire time.
You will not be disappointed in this biography of a compelling artist creating amazingly spiritual art in the most degrading and pitiful of circumstances.
How fortunate we are (if you are reading this, you are fortunate…) to have free time and materials to do what we desire without the need to, not only find our bread but buy our bread with little to no resources. Yet despite darkness and misery, she was driven to create masterpieces in bold color, immense scale and insight.
Seraphine Louis (1864-1942) or “Seraphine de Senlis” was an artist during a time when women, especially impoverished women, never became “serious” artists. Given a generous benefactor, she was compelled to created soaring, lush paintings, some over two meters high. She painted at night and in secret, making paint with diverse ingredients like flowers, blood and candle wax. Much about her process she never divulged.
She was illiterate and, in her later years, benefactor long ago departed, she was committed to an insane asylum, where she died alone and penniless.
To this day, much of her handmade paints are a mystery, containing such unlikely ingredients as candle wax, ashes, animal fat and blood. There is something of the sacred in her art known only to her yet somehow sensed by the viewer.
Rent this inspiring movie about a remarkable visionary.
Her story is both uplifting and heartbreaking.
Below are a few of her beautiful paintings and a second trailer of the movie ~
Please read the history of this fascinating woman and artist here.
L’Adelaide, ©CountryWomanPaints.
All rights reserved.
13 Comments
prewitt1970
Outstanding my friend. I’m on the hunt for this film today. I hope your well.
Always.
B
ĽAdelaide
Hi Benjamin…. lovely to “see” you again. 🙂 I hope you find the film, it’s quite good. Be well!
First Night Design
Fascinating, sweet friend. Thank you for introducing Seraphine as I have never heard of her, nor the film!
ĽAdelaide
I think you will enjoy the film if you can find it, Sarah! Have a wonderful week!
Mary
Thanks for the recommendation – I’m looking to find the movie. Have a wonderful week!!
ĽAdelaide
You’ll find it on netflix, Mary. Enjoy! 🙂
Gretchen Del Rio
I saw this film and it is wonderful……especially if one is both an artist and a woman. Oh and yes I am poor and have benefactors.
ĽAdelaide
haha, i completely understand…. and you are a wonderful artist at that! It is a wonderful movie isn’t it, if not more than a little sad…
Crowing Crone
I had not heard of her. Her paintings look exceptional. I will look for the film. Thank you for introducing us.
ĽAdelaide
I’m thinking she is one you will feel a kinship with. No doubt a sad story but also inspiring. Be well!
janellmithani
This looks like a wonderful movie. I will look for it, too. It does seem sad from the trailers and promo’s. Thanks for sharing!
ĽAdelaide
i do hope you find and enjoy it. her story is so inspiring! happy spring!!
violetski
Beautiful art works of her dear Linda! ❤️Thank you for introduction her❤️