Marie Tussauds: The Waxwork Genius

I couldn’t have left London without paying homage to the one, the only, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum! Taking the world by storm with its uncanny, life-like replicas of renowned icons and stars, it’s a remarkable sight to behold. But, do you know the woman behind this incredible legacy? Marie Tussauds, an unparalleled wax sculptor of her time, was born Anna Maria Grosholtz in 1761 in Strasbourg, France. Truly, this museum is a testament to Marie’s artistic journey and unparalleled artistry.

Joseph, unfortunately, was martyred two months before Marie’s grand entrance into this world. Marie spent her early years traveling between the beautiful landscapes of Switzerland and France. At six years old, her mother, Anne-Marie Walder, took her to Bern and it was here that Marie got the first glimpse of her passion for wax modelling. But it was in Paris where she truly discovered the art and found her true calling.

Marie-Tussaud

As it turns out, Marie found her true vocation when she was employed as a housekeeper by Dr Philippe Curtius – a physician by profession and passionate wax modeller by choice. Intrigued by the art form, Marie’s first wax figure was a crafty replica of Jean Jacques Rousseau in 1778. From there, she had a knack for the waxed death masks and quickly gained notoriety. In 1780, Marie was appointed as the art tutor to King Louis XVI’s sisters, which earned her an exclusive invitation to live in the opulent palace of Versailles. From then on, Marie was unstoppable as she continued to astound and inspire many with her masterful waxwork.

In 1794, Curtius passed away, leaving an entire wax collection to the soon-to-be Marie Grosholtz. As fate would have it, in 1795 Marie married François Tussauds, a civil engineer from London, and soon after had three children. With a spark of entrepreneurial spirit, Marie Tussauds opened her first permanent exhibition on Baker Street, London, in 1835. Sadly, she was then arrest, tasked with the gruesome job of creating death masks of those who had lost their lives during the German domination.

In order to help her survive the period, Tussauds built a remarkable wax replica of herself, which is currently displayed at the Wax Museum. At the age of 88, Tussauds sadly passed away on 16th April 1850. However, her memory lived on and in 1940, Madame Tussauds of London was tragically bombed by the Germans, leaving nearly 350 head moulds in ashes.

From Tinker Bell to US Presidents, Marie Tussauds’ renowned wax replicas never fail to impress! With an eye for detail, the sculptors employ a meticulous process of taking 150 measurements to get the figure just right – plus an extra 2% for shrinkage over time. Today, there are a plethora of Tussauds Museums in America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Six in the US, with cities such as New York, D.C., Las Vegas and L.A., seven in Europe, including Blackpool, Amsterdam, Berlin and Vienna, one in Sydney, and eight in Asia, from Singapore to Wuhan!

Visit this remarkable museum that brings together wax sculptures of Royals, Kardashians, famous actors, actresses, and even India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi – quite an eclectic mix! Each sculpture is exquisite and captures the essence of the celebrity and the artist’s unique interpretation. If you’re planning a visit soon, I’d suggest booking online to take advantage of the amazing offers. Plus, you’ll be able to dodge the massive crowds. Just be aware of the pickpockets who tend to frequent the museum. All in all, it’s a great museum to explore, and you can get a full tour within three hours!

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