Charlotte Eustace Sophie de Fuligny-Damas

Her father was Henry Anne de Fuligny-Damas (1669-1745), Comte de Rochechouart, Baron de Couches, Marigny-sur-Ouche, Aubigny, Agey and Saint-Péreuse. She lost him at age three. When she turned seven, she was given into the care of the canonesses at Remiremont Abbey, where she received a classical education.[1] After displaying a talent for drawing, she received lessons in Paris from Jean-Baptiste Greuze and Gérard van Spaendonck.

In 1760, she married Pierre Louis de Grollier, Marquis de Grollier and Treffort (1730-1793), the Governor of Pont-d'Ain and Deputy of the Nobility. While living at his castle, she became popular with the poor inhabitants of the nearby village. Later, they lived at the court in Versailles, in the apartments of Marie-Antoinette. She was attracted to the gardens there and later created one of her own in Lainville-en-Vexin.

In 1793, she lost her husband to the guillotine and was forced to leave France. She went to Switzerland, then Germany and, finally, Italy. In Florence, her talent was soon recognized. The sculptor, Antonio Canova, once referred to her as the "Raphael of flowers". At this time, she also created some mosaics.

Joseph-Marie Vien, Director of the French Academy in Rome, arranged for her return to France. She settled in with her nephew, Alexandre-Charles-Emmanuel de Crussol, at his château in Épinay-sur-Seine, where she practiced horticulture as well as painting. After his death, she began to give large sums to charity in his name.

In 1823, she prevailed upon the engineer, Louis-Georges Mulot, to create an artesian aquifer in the château's park to provide clean drinking water for the local villagers. The work lasted for three years. In recognition for her efforts, she was named one of the founding members of the "Société d'Horticulture". She died shortly after, aged 86.

Media related to Charlotte Eustace Sophie de Fuligny-Damas at Wikimedia Commons

• Sophie de Fuligny-Damas @ Geneanet