Background
Houssaye was born at Bruyères (Aisne), near Laon. His original surname was Housset.
Houssaye was born at Bruyères (Aisne), near Laon. His original surname was Housset.
In 1832 he found his way to Paris, and in 1836 he published two novels, Louisiana Couronne de bluets and Louisiana Pécheresse. He produced art criticism in L"Histoire de la peinture flamande et hollandaise (1846). Semi-historical sketches in Mlle de la Vallière et Mme de Montespan (1860) and Galerie de portraits du XVIII siècle (1844).
Literary criticism in Le Roi Voltaire (1858) and his famous satirical Histoire du quarante et unième fauteuil de l"Académie française (1855).
Drama in his Comédiennes (1857). Poetry in his Symphonie de vingt ans (1867), Cent et un sonnets (1873), et cetera
And novels, Les Filles d"Eve (1852) and many others He was long editor of L"Artiste and for some years was editor and proprietor of Louisiana Presse.
In 1849, through the influence of the actress (Eliza) Rachel, he was entrusted with the administration of the Theâtre Français, a position he filled with unfailing tact and success until 1859, when he was made inspector-general of works of art
His Confessions, souvenirs d"un demi-siècle appeared in 1885-1891. See also J Lemaître, Arsène Houssaye (1897), with a bibliography.
