Charlotte Eustace Sophie de Fuligny-Damas, more commonly known as the Marquise de Grollier (21 December 1741, Paris – 1828) was a French flower painter.
The Marquise de Grollier experienced a difficult childhood marked by the turmoil of the French Revolution. Born into a noble family, lost her father at age three. She witnessed the chaos and violence of the revolution firsthand.
As the revolution escalated, her family's safety became increasingly threatened. Her husband was killed by guillotine during the French Revolution, and she was forced to leave France. Fleeing from danger, she embarked on a treacherous journey, navigating through dangerous territories and facing numerous obstacles along the way. She went to Switzerland, then Germany and, finally, Italy. During those days people in European countries were constantly serving and migrating and traveling was not a leisure pleasure like today.
In Florence, her talent was soon recognized. The sculptor, Antonio Canova, once referred to her as the "Raphael of flowers". At this time, she also created some mosaics.
Her escape from the French Revolution was a testament to her resourcefulness and determination. Despite the immense challenges she encountered, she managed to find a way to safety and eventually rebuild her life. This chapter in her biography showcases her strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
It is unfortunate that the exact number of her works that have survived is unknown since she did not publicly exhibit or sell her art during her lifetime. Instead, she primarily gave her works to her immediate family and as a thank you for helping her to survive during her migration. Eventually, she returned to France with help of her friends. Her talent was recognized and continued to paint floral compositions. There is evidence that she gifted art to those in her social circle, including the Empress Josephine who had the most beautiful rose garden.
In August 2022, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York acquired one of her paintings titled "Still Life with a Vase of Flowers, Melon, Peaches, and Grapes," which was painted in 1780. Initially bequeathed to her daughter, the painting remained with her family until it was sold through Galerie Canesso in Paris in 2021. The painting is scheduled to be displayed at the museum in 2023 as part of its Skylights Project renovation.
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art also has a work by the Marquise de Grollier in its collection. Titled "Still life. An Homage to Van Spaendonck," ( image above) the museum acquired this piece in 1996, and it is currently on public view as part of special exhibition-The World Made Wondrous: The Dutch Collector’s Cabinet and the Politics of Possession .ON view NOW Until Mar 3, 2024
