Gisèle

Wednesday 14 November, 2012 / Art, Living / Comments { 17 }

Gisèle d’Ailly van Waterschoot van der Gracht is her full name – and only fitting for a 100 year old artist who grew up in an Austrian castle, studied at the Paris École des Beaux d’Arts (which was interrupted by the financial crisis in Europe  in the thirties & the oncoming war), provided shelter for Jewish Germans in her canal house apartment in Amsterdam during WWII – where she still lives today, rebuilt and lived in a ruined monastery on the island of Paros in Greece with her husband… she sounds like a remarkable woman, and her beautiful eclectic art filled home (she actually owns the entire building now) is a perfect reflection of that. do yourself a favour and read the entire article at Freunde von Freunden. what a treat for a random Tuesday morning.

Photography: Jordi Huisman for Freunde von Freunden

here is a picture of Gisèle during the war – thanks to Francesca Rheannon, whose father was part of the underground artist community that congregated at Gisèle’s home in WWII.

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17 Responses to Gisèle

  1. Tamara's Blend Wednesday 14 November, 2012 at 10:17 am #

    This woman is such an inspiration. Thanks for sharing her story.

    Reply
  2. rebecca Wednesday 14 November, 2012 at 10:31 am #

    Wow! What a rad lady!

    Reply
  3. Feminine Touch Wednesday 14 November, 2012 at 11:49 am #

    Thank you for this post!

    Reply
  4. Bridget Wednesday 14 November, 2012 at 1:43 pm #

    I would LOVE to get into her library!!! What an interesting & talented woman!

    Reply
  5. Bethany Wednesday 14 November, 2012 at 4:32 pm #

    I love this lady. Reminds me to keep on drawing :)

    Reply
  6. Luisa C Wednesday 14 November, 2012 at 4:38 pm #

    That is a beautiful, beautiful house, and that lady’s life would make a jaw-dropping movie I’m sure. Intense, heroic and genuine. I’d be honored to be her grandchild! :)

    http://captivelouise.wordpress.com/

    Reply
  7. nat Wednesday 14 November, 2012 at 7:46 pm #

    so inspiring, so beautiful! thanks for sharing! :)

    Reply
  8. Lili Gabbiano Thursday 15 November, 2012 at 12:58 am #

    :) she looks like a happy lady who fight all her life to fulfill her dreams…the story, the house, her art… amazing, so clean and organized…beautiful
    http://www.liligabbiano.com

    Reply
  9. Kari Thursday 15 November, 2012 at 8:09 pm #

    This is absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing.

    Reply
  10. T Friday 16 November, 2012 at 1:53 am #

    What an amazing woman and an absolutely beautiful home!

    Reply
  11. f Saturday 17 November, 2012 at 1:19 am #

    wow, what a treasure! her home, art, and gisele…

    Reply
  12. MMonk Tuesday 20 November, 2012 at 5:22 pm #

    Fantastic looking home!

    Reply
  13. malia Thursday 22 November, 2012 at 9:00 am #

    this is amazing, i want to be as cool as her :)

    Reply
  14. Judy Wednesday 28 November, 2012 at 7:15 pm #

    This is beyond amazing! Thank you so much for sharing.

    Reply
  15. k Friday 30 November, 2012 at 7:07 am #

    this is so beautiful and inspiring. thank you for finding and sharing!

    Reply
  16. Eva @ Sycamore Street Press Sunday 2 December, 2012 at 11:19 pm #

    Wow, this is my favorite home I’ve seen online in a long time.

    Reply
  17. Raquel Friday 22 February, 2013 at 1:31 pm #

    spectacular home-study, thank you very much for sharing!

    Reply

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