How did a lifelong cleaning lady become one of the most beloved painters in French history? In 1905, the voice of the Virgin Mary told orphaned, uneducated maid Seraphine to paint, and she obeyed. Her small French town was on the front line of both world wars, and through it all she painted her kaleidoscopic view. She gave her paintings to everyone in town...who promptly tossed them in the fireplace. She died penniless and unknown, but when a film about her aired on French television a couple years ago, everything changed. Travel with Katie in Senlis for a vivid soundscape of turn-of-the-century France and meet "France's Mona Lisa."
Katie's guest is Alicia Basso Boccabella at the Museums of Senlis.
Music featured in this episode was recorded by Thierry Callen, Kevin MacLeod, and Andrew Huang.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
THE DISCOVERY Naia
THE SUN QUEEN Maria Telkes
THE PIRATE QUEEN OF CONNACHT Grace O'Malley
THE USELESS HOUSEWIFE SCIENTIST Beverly Paigen
THE WARDEN Maria van Nispen
THE INAUGURAL BALLER Lusia Harris
A COUNTRY HOUSE CHRISTMAS Phyllis Sandeman - 2022 Christmas Special
THE QUEEN OF THE WEST Dale Evans
THE BRIDGE Brigid of Kildare
THE NURSE Mary Seacole
THE POISONER Goeie Mie
THE GRATEFUL DUCHESS Harriot Mellon
THE CARPENTER Elizabeth Gregory
THE ONE WHO STAYED Caty Taylor
THE QUEEN OF CHOCOLATE Luisa Spagnoli
THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD IN 100 WOMEN: 100th Episode Special
THE TEACHER Lois Meek Stolz
THE GLEANER Judith Sargent Murray
THE CONSTANT SCANDAL Valeska Gert
THE GOOD WIFE Elizabeth Bray Allen
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Irish Songs with Ken Murray
History Obscura
Historycal: Words that Shaped the World
The Rest Is History
Everything Everywhere Daily