The bankruptcy of Ernest Hoschedé in 1877 forced the liquidation of his significant Impressionist art collection, triggering a radical shift in his domestic and professional circumstances. Born in 1837 in Paris to a wealthy merchant, he built his initial reputation as a prominent department store director, art wholesaler, and influential patron of the French art world.
Professional Rise and Commercial Activities
The son of Casimir Joseph Edouard Hoschedé and Eugenie Honorine Saintonge, Ernest Hoschedé entered the trade of shawls and fine lace as a foundation for his career. In Paris, he managed department stores and achieved sufficient wealth to acquire Château de Rottembourg in Montgeron. His residence at 64 Rue de Lisbonne served as a hub for extravagant social gatherings, frequently involving private train transport for his guests. His commercial life was deeply intertwined with his role as an art critic and collector, dealing in works by Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, and Alfred Sisley.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Patronage of Claude Monet
Hoschedé maintained a particularly close relationship with Claude Monet. In 1876, he commissioned the artist to create landscape paintings and decorative panels for his estate. This period marked the height of his influence as a patron, though his financial stability remained tethered to his department store business. The eventual bankruptcy in 1877 compelled him to flee to Belgium to avoid creditors, while his extensive art holdings were auctioned in June 1878 for a fraction of their estimated market value.
Later Years and Relocation
Following his insolvency, Hoschedé and his wife, Alice Raingo, moved their family into the home of Claude Monet in Vétheuil. This arrangement evolved into a permanent communal living situation for the Monet and Hoschedé families. Hoschedé spent his final years in Paris, securing employment as a writer for the newspaper Le Voltaire and later as an art editor for the Magazine Français Illustré. Plagued by gout caused by excessive dietary habits, he remained in the capital while his family stayed with the Monets in Poissy and Giverny.
Death and Legacy
Hoschedé died in the 9th arrondissement of Paris in 1891. Despite his previous commercial standing, he passed away in poverty. Claude Monet funded his funeral and burial, which took place in Giverny as requested by his children. Alice Hoschedé married Monet the following year, concluding the long-standing domestic entanglement between the two families.
Fast facts
- Born: 1837, Paris
- Died: 1891, 9th arrondissement of Paris
- Primary Occupations: Merchant, wholesaler, art collector
- Wife: Alice Raingo
- Key Estate: Château de Rottembourg, Montgeron
- Notable Employer: Le Voltaire
- Burial Site: Giverny
Questions readers ask
What caused the bankruptcy of Ernest Hoschedé?
He went bankrupt in 1877 due to an extravagant lifestyle that his earnings as a department store director and art merchant could not sustain.
What was the connection between Hoschedé and Claude Monet?
Hoschedé was a primary patron of Monet's work. Following his financial collapse, he lived in the same households as the Monet family until his death.
.jpg)
