Séraphine Louis, often called Séraphine de Senlis, was born in 1864 in France. She worked most of her life as a maid and cleaning woman. Despite her hard life, she painted vivid, colorful works in her free time, often inspired by visions and nature.
Her art was discovered in 1912 by German art collector Wilhelm Uhde, who became her patron. With his support, Séraphine produced her most famous works, featuring bold flowers and symbolic patterns. For a short time, she gained recognition in the art world.
However, when Uhde fled France during World War I, she lost her main support. Poverty and mental illness took over her life. In 1932, she was placed in a mental asylum, where she stopped painting. She died there in 1942, mostly forgotten.
Decades later, her work was rediscovered and praised for its originality and spiritual power. In 2008, the film Séraphine told her life story, bringing her art and struggles to wider audiences.
Today, her paintings hang in museums and are celebrated as part of French modern art.