Marie Tussaud, wax sculptress and businesswoman
Born in 1761 in Strasbourg and died in 1850 in London, she was a French sculptress and the creator of the wax museum Madame Tussauds. Her name and legacy are widely famous, but do you know her story?
After her father’s death during the Seven Years' War, 2 months before her birth, her mother became a maid for Dr. Philippe Curtius, a physicist, physician and wax sculptor. His presence in Marie’s life made her consider him her uncle. He taught her the art of wax modelling and, showing a certain talent, made her work for him. Her first sculpture was the face of Voltaire, in 1777. She later made the portraits of Rousseau and Benjamin Franklin.
Curtius also inspired Tussaud the creation of her Chamber of Horrors, based on what she had witnessed during the French Revolution, a collection that quickly became the foundation of her empire.
In 1802, she traveled to London to present her collections throughout Great Britain and Ireland. She accompanied her exhibitions with informative catalogs about the people represented and produced publicity materials.
In 1835, then 74 years old and tired of her itinerant life, she set up her first permanent exhibition in a rented room in Baker Street, named Baker Street Bazaar, later becoming Madame Tussauds. In 1838, she made the portrait of Queen Victoria, for her coronation, which made the museum the place to see.
That same year, concerned about her social respectability, she wrote her highly romanticized Memoirs in which she gave her father a distinguished origin whereas he came from a line of executioners, as well as claiming to have taught the arts to Louis XVI’s sister.
After her death, at the age of 88, her sons and grandchildren took over the family business. In 1884, her grandson moved the museum to a new location, but a fire in 1925 and bombings during World War II destroyed most of her original works.
Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum has become a major attraction in London and has expanded its activities with the creation of 24 museums throughout the world.
@ Adama Toulon - Julie Henry Poutrel
© Photo 2: Jordiferrer CC-BY-SA-4.0
