Affecting biopic about a French cleaning lady, Seraphine Louis, who escapes her monotonous existence by walking in the countryside and painting colourful representations of what she sees there.
Then along comes a German art critic who likes what he sees and gives her hope that one day soon she will become rich and famous. Problem is the first world war starts and he has to flee the country.
He comes back a few years after the war ends expecting that Seraphine has died, but comes across a painting of hers in a local exhibition and gets in touch again.
Anyway, the subtleties of this film, for me, lay first of all in the artist's love of the countryside and obsessive desire to represent this in her own way. Then, her touching reliance on her menial work and her art to support her fragile mental health. And, finally, the relationship between the art critic and his protégé. Although he respects her art and talent, you get the feeling that he can't quite get away from the fact that she is, after all, just a cleaning lady.
Then along comes a German art critic who likes what he sees and gives her hope that one day soon she will become rich and famous. Problem is the first world war starts and he has to flee the country.
He comes back a few years after the war ends expecting that Seraphine has died, but comes across a painting of hers in a local exhibition and gets in touch again.
Anyway, the subtleties of this film, for me, lay first of all in the artist's love of the countryside and obsessive desire to represent this in her own way. Then, her touching reliance on her menial work and her art to support her fragile mental health. And, finally, the relationship between the art critic and his protégé. Although he respects her art and talent, you get the feeling that he can't quite get away from the fact that she is, after all, just a cleaning lady.