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Hortense Richard (1858-1940), “the Source” Symbolist Porcelain Plaque 1879

Object description :

"Hortense Richard (1858-1940), “the Source” Symbolist Porcelain Plaque 1879"

Hortense Richard “La Source”
Hand-painted Polychromed Porcelain Plaque
Symbolist period and theme, depicting a naked woman at the foot of a Source
Signed and dated 79 lower left.
In its original frame in blackened and gilt lacquered wood and patinated bronze,
titled «The Source» and «Hortense Richard» on two plates.

Marie Sophie Hortense Jeanne Schrenk was born in Charonne in 1858, the natural daughter of Louise Christine Frederika Schrenk and an unnamed father. Her mother, a German born in Stuttgart, officially recognized her in August 1879. A few days later, Hortense married his fellow painter Désiré Alfred Magne.
On her death certificate, in 1940, it is mentioned that she is the daughter of a man named Jean Richard, whose surname she adopted as an artist’s name.
Hortense Richard learned painting with Delphine de Cool, James Bertrand, Jules Lefebvre and William Bouguereau at the Académie Julian in Paris.
She exhibited in Paris at the Salon of 1875 and then at the Salon des artistes français from 1909. She received an honourable mention at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1889, then the Prix Maxime-David and a third class medal in 1892 where she caused a sensation with La Dormeuse, a painting on ivory of imposing size. She won a bronze medal at the 1900 Universal Exhibition. She exhibited until 1935.
She also presents her work at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago and at the Woman’s Building, a pavilion dedicated to women that incorporates a hundred female artists from around the world during the Universal Exhibition of 1893 in Chicago.
She also painted on porcelain.
American artists Catherine Evans, Marie Preble and Rita Potron were his pupils as well as Louise Ferey.
She died a widow in 1940 at her home at 5 rue de Fontenay in Châtillon.