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Information:
La Maison Picassiette: 22 Rue de Repos, Saint-Cheron, 27000 Chartres, France, Tel: +33-(0)2 37 36 41 39.
Raymond Isidore was a humble cemetary sweeper in Chartres, an occupation that gave him little satisfaction. Starting in 1937, after each working day, he collected fragments of glass and pottery, using them to decorate the little house he had built for his wife and himself. Eventually the whole interior of the building, including furniture, was coated in mosaics. He then began work on his garden, creating a series of intimate courtyards covered in shimmering ornaments and images, even constructing potted "plants" in mosaic."
"The culmination of his creative powers is the figures and shrines leading to a magnificent throne. The religious impact of Chartres is evident in his depictions of the city of Jerusalem and of great cathedrals, and in the tomb topped by a model of Chartres cathedral itself. His pictorial references were postcards, newspaper photographs, and calendars."
"Isidore became known as "Picassiette", a play on "Picasso" and "assiette", also spelt "pique-assiette" (plate-scrounger). A visit to this place, well maintained by the municipality, is an overwhelming experience."
Text and images are from "Fantasy Worlds" by Deidi Von Schaewen and John Maizels
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