Laure Mathilde Gouin (married name Braquehais) (14 December 1829 – 4 October 1916) was a French painter and photographer. She worked as a colourist for her father, painter Alexis Gouin and with her husband photographer Bruno Braquehais, and from 1874 worked independently under the name of Madame (Mme.) M. Gouin.

Laure Mathilde Gouin
Born14 December 1829
Paris, France
DiedOctober 4, 1916(1916-10-04) (aged 86)
Paris, France
Other namesLaure Mathilde Braquehais Madame M. Gouin
Occupation(s)Painter and photographer.

Early life and marriage

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Laure Mathilde Gouin was born in Paris on 14 December 1829,[1] the daughter of Marie Catherine Bellange Gellé and her husband Alexis Louis Charles Arthur Gouin. Her father was deaf and had been born in New York, the son of colonists from Saint-Domingue.[2] Initially a painter, he became a photographer around 1847, first at 50, rue Basse-du-Rempart,[3] then at 37, rue Louis-le-Grand.[4] He produced portraits and female nudes in the form of painted daguerreotypes.[5][6] Marie and Laure Matilde Gouin assisted him, the former with photography, the latter as a daguerreotype colourist,[7] but their work was not formally recognised at the time. As the journalist Ernest Lacan noted after Alexis Gouin's death in La Lumière magazine, "when it came to collecting praise, [mother and daughter] let their cooperation go unnoticed".[8]

In July 1850, Laure Mathilde Gouin married Bruno Braquehais in Paris and became known as Mme Braquehais.[9][10] Her new husband had been born in Dieppe in 1823, and was deaf like her father. Braquehais had been a lithographer in Caen, before setting up as a painter and photographer at 10, place de la Madeleine in Paris.[11] After their marriage, he moved into The Gouin home at 37, rue Louis-le-Grand.[12] Around 1852, he moved his studio to 110, rue de Richelieu[13] where he produced portraits and nudes, used in particular by painters as preparatory studies.[14]

Death of and succession to Alexis Gouin

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Alexis Gouin had known he was ill for some time and was determined to make testamentary arrangements to protect his daughter. But under French law at the time "the question arose as to whether a deaf-mute had the right to dispose of his property, to make a donation or a will", with some legal advisors still advocating "the obligation of articulated speech" as being essential to allow an individual to legally make their wishes known.[15] After several refusals from Paris notaries, Alexis Gouin made his case with notary Jean-Baptiste Martin Moreau, mayor of the 7th arrondissement and member of parliament for Paris, and was able to draw up his will. On 25 February 1855, Alexis Gouin died at home.[12] Three days later, his holographic will, drawn up in June 1850, was officially deposited with the notary in charge of the estate.[16]

After Alexis Gouin's death, the Braquehais couple took over his studio in rue Louis-le-Grand,[17] with Laure Mathilde continuing to colour daguerreotypes, now signed by her husband.[7] Marie Gouin remarried the following year to the painter Frédéric Peyson, a friend of her late husband and son-in-law. He was also deaf.[18][19] When Marie Gouin drew up the marriage contract, she took care to specify that "she had ceased to manage the photographic establishment that she operated with the late Mr Gouin and that she had no pecuniary interest in the said establishment". At the same time and until her death, she marketed, boxes of paint under the name ‘Couleurs Gouin’ containing "12 assorted tubes, 1 gold cup, 1 silver cup, 6 brushes".[20] Marie Peyson died in 1858.[21][22]

Under the shadow of Bruno Braquehais

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At the end of the 1850s, Laure Mathilde Braquehais's talent as a painter was occasionally praised in the press, particularly by Ernest Lacan, who praised the beauty of the painted stereoscopic portraits she now coloured, in addition to the daguerreotypes.[23][24] In Le Moniteur de la photographie magazine, the journalist reported several times on the progress she had made in her colourisation technique, by applying fine powders to albumen prints.[25][26] In 1863, the Braquehais bought a photography business at 11 boulevard des Italiens, which became their new address.[27][28]

In 1865, Bruno Braquehais won a prize at the Berlin Photographic Exhibition, as did Pierre-Auguste Despaquis, another Parisian photographer. Despaquis became his business partner shortly afterwards.[29][30] Braquehais won a further award at the 1867 Exposition universelle de 1867. The catalogue praised his ‘speciality of colours applied to glass, plates and paper’, but overlooked the key role of Laure Mathilde Braquehais in creating the works.[31]

Madame M. Gouin, photographer

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In December 1873, a few months after photographing the events of the Paris Commune - and becoming one of first photojournalists - Bruno Braquehais went bankrupt and was imprisoned for thirteen months in Mazas Prison for breach of trust.[32][33] In October 1874, the couple officially separated.[34] It was during this time, age nearly 45, that Laure Mathilde Braquehais set up her own ‘industrial photography’ business under the name Mme M. Gouin at 9, rue Sainte-Apolline,[35] and from 1881, at 60, rue du Château-d'Eau.[36] Her estranged husband died on 14 February 1875 at his country home in La Celle-Saint-Cloud, shortly after his release from prison.[37]

In 1882, Gouin showed her work in the Union Centrale des Arts Décoratifs exhibition.[38] She presented ‘side by side a partially coloured print and the same print in simple photography, both intended for teaching purposes’.[39] The prize jury recorded that ‘it is by staying within this fair measure, as Mme Gouin does, that the coloured addition is useful’ and awarded her a bronze medal. The following year, Laure Mathilde Braquehais also went bankrupt, which ended her photography career.[40]

Laure Matlide Gouin Braquehais died on 4 October 1916 at her home, 47 boulevard de l'Hôpital, Paris.[1] On her death certificate, she was mistakenly recorded as ‘Louise Mathilde Gouin, veuve Broquehais’.[1] She was buried in Ivry Cemetery of Ivry-sur-Seine, under the name Laure Gouin, veuve Broquelais [sic].[41]

Collections and Exhibitions

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Acte de décès de Louise [sic] Mathilde Gouin, Broquehais [sic], No. 2831 4 October 1916, Paris, Archives de Paris.
  2. ^ "Secours aux colons de Saint-Domingue. Indemnisation des colons spoliés. Gouin (Alexis Charles Arthur) (cote F/12/2806)". www.siv.archives-nationales.culture.gouv.fr. Archives nationales. Retrieved 2021-05-16..
  3. ^ """Gouin, peintre-artiste" in "Annuaire général du commerce, de l'industrie, de la magistrature et de l'administration : ou almanach des 500.000 adresses de Paris, des départements et des pays étrangers"". Gallica (in French). 1849. p. 142. Retrieved 2021-05-16..
  4. ^ ""Gouin, peintre-artiste" in "Annuaire général du commerce, de l'industrie, de la magistrature et de l'administration : ou almanach des 500.000 adresses de Paris, des départements et des pays étrangers"". Gallica (in French). 1850. p. 224. Retrieved 2021-05-16..
  5. ^ Gabet, Charles (1831). Dictionnaire des artistes de l'école française au 19th century (in French). p. 322. Retrieved 2021-05-15..
  6. ^ ""Nouvelles du jour. Paris (Si c'est un triomphe pour l'humanité…)" in "La Presse"". Gallica (in French). 1852-10-22. p. [vue 2/4]. Retrieved 2021-05-15..
  7. ^ a b Thomas Galifot (15 June 2017). "La parentèle au risque de la photographie ? Amateures et professionnelles au 19th century et au début du 20th century (France, Grande-Bretagne, États-Unis)". AWARE Women artists / Femmes artistes (in French). Retrieved 2021-05-08..
  8. ^ ""Nécrologie" in "La Lumière"". Gallica (in French). 1855-03-03. p. 33. Retrieved 2021-05-16..
  9. ^ Fiche de l’état civil reconstitué, mariage Gouin-Braquehais, 4 July 1850, ancien de Paris, Archives de Paris.
  10. ^ "Minutes et répertoires du notaire Ferdinand Ducloux. Contrat de mariage sous le régime de la communauté de biens, 3 juillet 1850 (cote MC/ET/XXVI/1149)". www.siv.archives-nationales.culture.gouv.fr. Archives nationales. Retrieved 2021-05-16..
  11. ^ ""Publications de mariage" in "Le Pays"". Gallica (in French). 1850-06-26. p. [vue 4/4]. Retrieved 2021-05-15..
  12. ^ a b "Minutes et répertoires du notaire Ferdinand Ducloux. Inventaire après décès d'Alexis Louis Charles Arthur Gouin, artiste peintre, 28 juin 1855 (cote MC/ET/XXVI/1183)". www.siv.archives-nationales.culture.gouv.fr. Archives nationales. Retrieved 2021-05-16..
  13. ^ ""Braquehié (B.), artiste photographe" in "Annuaire général du commerce, de l'industrie, de la magistrature et de l'administration : ou almanach des 500.000 adresses de Paris, des départements et des pays étrangers"". Gallica (in French). 1853. p. 1173. Retrieved 2021-05-17..
  14. ^ "Bruno Braquehais (French, 1823 - 1875) (Getty Museum)". The J. Paul Getty in Los Angeles. Retrieved 2021-05-17..
  15. ^ Berthier, Ferdinand (1868). Le Code Napoléon, code civil de l'Empire français : mis à la portée des sourds-muets (in French). p. 427. Retrieved 2021-05-16..
  16. ^ "Minutes et répertoires du notaire Ferdinand Ducloux. Dépôt judiciaire du testament olographe d'Alexis Louis Charles Arthur Gouin, artiste peintre, 28 février 1855 (cote MC/ET/XXVI/1179)". www.siv.archives-nationales.culture.gouv.fr. Archives nationales. Retrieved 2021-05-16..
  17. ^ ""Braquehais, photographe, Louis-le-Grand, 37" in "Annuaire général du commerce, de l'industrie, de la magistrature et de l'administration : ou almanach des 500.000 adresses de Paris, des départements et des pays étrangers"". Gallica (in French). 1856. p. 128. Retrieved 2021-05-17..
  18. ^ "Minutes et répertoires du notaire Ferdinand Ducloux. Contrat de mariage sous le régime de la séparation de biens, 30 septembre 1856 (cote MC/ET/XXVI/1193)". www.siv.archives-nationales.culture.gouv.fr. Archives nationales. Retrieved 2021-05-16..
  19. ^ Cantin, Yann (2019). "Les archives de la communauté sourde à Paris, quelles possibilités d'un regard élargi ?". Cahiers d'histoire (in French). 37 (1): 197–215. doi:10.7202/1067961ar. ISSN 0712-2330. Retrieved 2021-05-17..
  20. ^ ""Couleurs Gouin [encart publicitaire]" in "La Lumière"". Gallica (in French). 1856-11-01. p. 172. Retrieved 2021-05-18..
  21. ^ Fiche de l’état civil reconstitué, décès Catherine Bellange Gellé, 1 December 1858, ancien de Paris, Archives de Paris.
  22. ^ "Minutes et répertoires du notaire Ferdinand Ducloux. Règlement entre Auguste Bruno Braquehais, artiste peintre, et Laure Mathilde Gouin, son épouse, 10 mai 1859 (cote MC/ET/XXVI/1218)". www.siv.archives-nationales.culture.gouv.fr. Archives nationales. Retrieved 2021-05-17..
  23. ^ Ernest Lacan (3 September 1859). ""Exposition photographique de 1859 (La photographie stéréoscopique ne compte…)" in "Gazette nationale ou le Moniteur universel"". RetroNews - Le site de presse de la BnF (in French). p. 3. Retrieved 2021-05-17..
  24. ^ ""Maison Gouin, Braquehais [encart publicitaire]" in "Le Moniteur de la photographie"". RetroNews - Le site de presse de la BnF (in French). 1 January 1862. p. 3. Retrieved 2021-05-17..
  25. ^ Ernest Lacan (1 July 1863). ""Revue photographique (Mme|Braquehais…)" in "Le Moniteur de la photographie"". RetroNews - Le site de presse de la BnF (in French). p. 2. Retrieved 2021-05-17..
  26. ^ ""Revue photographique (Ainsi pour ne prendre qu'un exemple…)" in "Le Moniteur de la photographie"". RetroNews - Le site de presse de la BnF (in French). 15 February 1864. p. 1. Retrieved 2021-05-17..
  27. ^ ""Liste de fonds de commerce vendus du 13 au 18 avril (Photographie, boul. des Italiens, 11)" in "L'Annonce-Viguier. Paraissant tous les cinq jours"". Gallica (in French). 25 April 1863. p. [vue 2/4]. Retrieved 2021-05-17..
  28. ^ "Minutes et répertoires du notaire Albert Henri Yver. Reconnaissance de dépôt d'obligations par Bruno Braquehais, photographe, et Laure Mathilde Gouin, son épouse, 5 juin 1872 (cote MC/ET/XVII/1364)". www.siv.archives-nationales.culture.gouv.fr. Archives nationales. Retrieved 2021-05-17..
  29. ^ A. Davanne (1866). ""Récompenses décernées à la photographie pendant l'année 1865 (Exposition photographique de Berlin)" in "Annuaire photographique pour l'année 1866"". Gallica (in French). Gauthiers-Villars. p. 37. Retrieved 2021-05-17..
  30. ^ ""Despaquis & Braquehais [Encart publicitaire]" in "Le Moniteur de la photographie"". RetroNews - Le site de presse de la BnF (in French). 1 July 1868. p. 4. Retrieved 2021-05-17..
  31. ^ Exposition universelle de 1867 à Paris : catalogue général (2e|édition, revue et corrigée) (in French). Paris: Dentu. 1867. p. V vue 348/1792. Retrieved 2021-05-17..
  32. ^ "Il a photographié la Commune de Paris : Bruno Braquehais premier photo-reporter de l'Histoire de France". Franceinfo (in French). 2018-04-17. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  33. ^ ""Déclaration de faillite du 4 décembre" in "La Presse"". RetroNews - Le site de presse de la BnF (in French). 8 December 1873. p. 4. Retrieved 2021-05-17..
  34. ^ ""Séparations de corps et de biens de Paris et de la Seine, du 22 au 28 octobre 1874" in "Archives commerciales de la France"". Gallica (in French). 1874-10-29. p. 304. Retrieved 2021-05-16.
  35. ^ ""Gouin (Mme M.)" in "Annuaire-almanach du commerce, de l'industrie, de la magistrature et de l'administration : ou almanach des 500.000 adresses de Paris, des départements et des pays étrangers"". Gallica (in French). Firmin Didot et Bottin réunis. 1882. p. 1931. Retrieved 2021-05-17..
  36. ^ ""Gouin (Mme M.)" in "Annuaire-almanach du commerce, de l'industrie, de la magistrature et de l'administration : ou almanach des 500.000 adresses de Paris, des départements et des pays étrangers"". Gallica (in French). Firmin Didot et Bottin réunis. 1875. p. 315. Retrieved 2021-05-17..
  37. ^ Hannavy, John; Taubenhaus, Frédérique (2008). "Braquehais, Auguste Bruno". Encyclopedia of nineteenth-century photography: A-I, index. Taylor & Francis. p. 202. ISBN 978-0-415-97235-2. Retrieved 2021-05-15..
  38. ^ a b ""Exposition de l'Union centrale des arts décoratifs" in "Le Moniteur de la photographie"". RetroNews - Le site de presse de la BnF (in French). 15 November 1882. p. 173-174. Retrieved 2021-05-18..
  39. ^ Alfred Firmin-Didot (1883). "Exposition de l'Union centrale des arts décoratifs. Extrait du rapport du jury des industries du papier". Bulletin de la Société française de photographie: 239..
  40. ^ ""Déclarations de faillites du 30 mars au 2 avril 1883" in "Archives commerciales de la France"". Gallica (in French). 1883-04-05. p. 460. Retrieved 2021-05-17..
  41. ^ Registres journaliers d'inhumation, cimetière parisien d'Ivry, 7 October 1916, Archives de Paris.
  42. ^ Inv. SNR-1 (Gouin, Laure), Gouin, Laure (1878). [Recueil. Œuvre de Laure Gouin]. Retrieved 2021-05-15..