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.
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THE PAINTER Victorine Meurent
THE GUIDE Bibi Sahiba
THE SUFFRAGIST SENATOR Martha Hughes Cannon
THE CAGED BIRD Florence Price
THE ILLUSTRATOR Tasha Tudor – 2020 Christmas Special
THE FULTON FLASH Helen Stephens
THE LITTLE WOMAN May Alcott Nieriker
THE CITIZEN SCIENTIST Jane Marcet
THE SPIRIT Xtabay
THE LAST QUEEN OF JUDEA Shelamzion
THE MUCKRAKER Ida Tarbell
THE FLOWER IN THE WATER Zazil-ha
THE RESISTANCE Truus and Freddie Oversteegen
THE REBORN Jemima Wilkinson & Publick Universal Friend
THE PEACEMAKER Queen Matilda
THE ABSENCE Maria Branwell Brontë
THE STORYTELLER Mae Timbimboo Parry
THE ANCESTORS Mother’s Day Special
THE SURGEON James Barry
THE WOMAN IN RED Anita Garibaldi
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