Louis Levacher

Levacher family

The Levacher family appears in the archives of the Contremoulins region starting at the end of the eighteenth century and seems to have originally come from the region of Valmont. Subsequently, the older branch of the family moved to Montivilliers and the younger branch to Criquebeuf in Caux, Yport, Saint-Valery in Caux, and finally to Fécamp. Initially making their living as millers, then farmers, the younger branches eventually became ropemakers. Gradually, under the Restoration, they became merchants and ship-owners. They thus joined the local petty bourgeoisie and enjoyed a quick rise in their social position. This position however only held for less than a century.

Louis Levacher (1877–1949), a ship-owner and merchant, was awarded the cross of Verdun and gave over the management of his business to his wife, Marguerite Grivel. His son, Louis (1911–1988) owned a smokehouse, whose buildings still belong in part to the family. He married Denise Thomas (1913–2003), a seamstress, whose family, originally from Doudeville, dates back to the seventeenth century.

His life

Louis (1934–1983), their only child, was a work conductor, but also a painter and sculptor. He once worked for his father. Recognized in Normandy and beyond for his art, he never made a fortune, but with his wife Michèle they had an undeniable original and avant-garde approach. Louis was six years before the Second World War during which his parents divorced. The activity of his grandfather still works and his father is slowed by the departure of one of the war in 1939 . After the war, Louis had to go to Algeria. It is also at this time that he married Michèle Moreau (1942–2012). They had three children. Wanting the family tradition that the eldest was named after Louis was respected. The professional activity of fishing is abandoned by the descendants of Louis (1911–1988), although fishing is still a passion. The artistic activity of Louis (1934–1983) will be an important influence in the family. Michèle exhibited in various places, even in the Basque country. His daughter also specialized in collage and sculpture, exposing the region several times.

The painting

Louis's artistic practice includes several techniques such as painting or sculpture. His paintings, mixed figurative and abstract, often use large formats. His sculptures mix genres, mainly used with wood, representing Saints or turning into totem richly decorated and filled with details. At first, the couple remained somewhat misunderstood if we believe some local newspaper articles talking about "greasy spoon" style more inclined to Paris Salon. In fact, the originality comes from the use of recycled materials, but also the thinking that lies behind this art. Michele, for example, realised large tapestries with driftwood, bones polished seawater (collected on the beaches), etc..

Exhibitions in France

Exhibitions abroad