Does the name Berthe Girardet ring a bell? Probably not. Rue Berthe Girardet is a simple street. Yet it carries the name of a remarkable woman.
Let me tell you about Berthe Girardet. She was a sculptor born in Marseille in 1861. Her father was a wealthy Swiss négociant. Her mother was the daughter of an American businessman in Naples. Berthe’s upbringing was international.
Berthe trained in sculpture with Émile Aldebert. Later, she briefly studied in Paris with Antonin Carlès. Her career blossomed.
Until her marriage in 1893, she exhibited under her maiden name, Imer. She displayed busts at the Association des Artistes Marseillais. Simultaneously, she showcased her work at the Salon des Artistes Français in Paris. She remained loyal to the Salon, even earning an honorable mention in 1901.
Berthe also participated in the Salon d’Automne. She frequently exhibited at the Union des Femmes Peintres et Sculpteurs. There she won the sculpture prize in 1907. At the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris, she presented three sculptures. Representing Switzerland, she won a gold medal.
In 1925, a Parisian gallery held a major retrospective of her work. This exhibition featured 31 pieces.
Berthe Girardet primarily sculpted portraits. She also created genre scenes. Notable works include portraits of her husband Paul Girardet and President Albert Lebrun. She also depicted everyday people. One example is Pêcheur du Tréport.
She specialized in half-length groups. “La Bénédiction de l’aïeule” is one such piece. “L’Enfant malade” is another. The Detroit Institute of Art in the USA holds her sculpture “Donnez-nous aujourd’hui notre pain quotidien”.
After World War I, her work shifted. She commemorated war victims. She also explored religious themes. During this period, she created a bas-relief for Marseille titled “Sérénité”. It is located in Allée Ray Grassi.
Berthe Girardet collaborated with prestigious manufacturers. These included Sèvres, Charenton and Christofle. She worked with various materials.
Berthe Girardet died in 1948. She left behind a rich artistic legacy. Today, Rue Berthe Girardet in Marseille honors her. It is a reminder of a talented sculptor. Her art touched hearts and crossed borders.