By Hélène Gasset-housset (1889 – Toulouse, 1966)

"The Eagles,"
Large drawing in India ink, wash, and watercolor depicting three birds of prey against a geometric background decorated with ribbons and dots rendered in a mixture of gold and silver.
Signed lower left HGasset-Ousset,
view dimensions: 54 cm x 73.5 cm.
Molded wooden frame with a fillet painted with a mixture of nuanced gold and silver colors,
dimensions: 72.5 cm x 92.5 cm.

As a painter and decorator, Hélène Gasset-Ousset joined the Société des artistes Méridionaux in 1914 and became a full member in 1922. She exhibited there regularly between 1925 and 1935.
This Toulouse-based artist then began to specialize in embroidery and trimmings.
Her rugs, tapestries, screens, cushions, gloves, handbags, and lacquered panels—adorned with delicate plant and animal motifs—enjoyed great success in the 1930s.
Around 1925 / 1930, she collaborated with the HB Quimper - Odetta factory, primarily on the design of artistic stoneware Odetta, where sales catalogs referencing the specialized works of Bernard-Jules Verlingue and Philippe Théallet explicitly mention her name.
The Reims Museum documents a “nautilus vase” in its collection, whose description specifically cites her.
Thus, H. Gasset-Ousset contributed to the development of decorative designs applied to vases, platters, and likely other shaped pieces from the Breton factory.
She also worked during this period with sculptors and cabinetmakers from Toulouse.
Starting in 1932, she moved to Paris, where she gained widespread recognition.
Her works sold throughout France as well as in the United States, Switzerland, England, and Greece.
Upon her return to Toulouse, she produced more drawings, particularly of animals, including a bestiary featuring fawns, fighting cocks, hens, and chicks… as well as eagles and various other birds for which she is renowned today.

The “Musée du Pays de Cocagne” in Lavaur (81500) houses works by the artist.