Elizabeth Gardner Bouguereau: An Artist Till the End

"In the Garden"
by Elizabeth Gardner Bouguereau

"Carmen, the model who had come into Elizabeth Gardner's household at a very young age and been with her ever since was married just a few months after William Adolphe Bouguereau's death. This was yet another separation for Elizabeth that year, but she considered the girl's husband, Albert Vassard, to be a  'brave young man' and she realized how happy they were together. When she is mentioned in Gardner's correspondence, it is with maternal pride and affection. They remained devoted to the artist until the end. Carmen visited her practically on a daily basis when she was in Paris, and the couple often journeyed to Royat to spend a week or two with Elizabeth in the summer months. As a wedding gift, the artist furnished their small apartment 'with economy and good taste.'

Elizabeth Gardner's last extant letter to the family is dated February 26, 1920. It is unfortunate that no letters remain from the last two years of her life. The artist complained of rheumatism in her legs, but other than that she was in perfect health. She remained active, kept up her painting, had a large collection of books and read everyday. From 1916 on, she rented a small villa at Saint-Cloud, near Paris, in order to be close to Carmen and her husband during the summer months. By 1918, she was living there year round. It was in their company that Elizabeth spent the remainder of a very active and healthy life.

In a translation of a letter written by Albert Vassard to Elizabeth's family, we learn of her passing on January 28, 1922, at the age of 84:

'You have learned by my telegram the sad news of the decease of our dear Mme. Bouguereau. This telegram was sent to you entirely according to her instructions. She succumbed on the 28th of January to an attack of cerebral congestion [apoplexy]. For about a fortnight she was suffering a little, but her illness was not greatly shown until the 20th of January. She remained greatly ill for only eight days. The abruptness of this separation has affected greatly my wife and me, for nothing gave us indication of an end so near.'

Elizabeth Gardner was buried at the cemetery at Saint-Cloud, not far from the home of her faithful friends. Carmen, who had always been in charge of caring for the artist's books and papers and finery, continued her daily visits, oftentimes with freshly cut flowers for the woman who had so affectionately taken her under her wing.'"

(Excerpts from "Elizabeth Jane Gardner: Her Life, Her Work, Her Letters," MA Thesis by Charles Pearo, McGill University, 1997.)