Cécile Douard
1866 - 1941
Belgian blind artist, writer, philanthropist, president of the Ligue Braille. Blind Belgian artist, writer, philanthropist, president of the Ligue Braille. Cécile Douard was born on 29 December 1866 and died on 14 January 1941. In her works she depicted the hard life of the miners of the Borinage, their wives and children. Following a fall during a flood of the Trouille, which drowned her studio in 1892, she lost an eye. From 1898, she gradually lost her sight. In 1899, she became totally blind and started to learn Braille writing. She devoted herself to studying the violin and won a first prize at the Royal Conservatory of Mons. She also devoted herself to sculpture. She teaches French literature, English and art history. Cécile Douard was actively involved in the Ligue Braille from its creation in 1922, and was its president from 1926 to 1937, contributing greatly to the reputation of this institution in Belgium and abroad.