CASIMIR ARCOUET
1834-1902
Aurora in the 21st century is a vibrant hub for the arts. There are numerous public displays, murals, events, and galleries that celebrate the unique artistic achievements of our community.
Over the years, plenty of artists have carved their names in Aurora’s history, such as Ruth Van Sickle Ford (painter) and Maud Powell (violinist). One prominent artist, however, is oft overlooked: Casimir Arcouet.
Arcouet was a multi-talented artist: he was a photographer, a painter, and a sculptor. For three decades, he lived and worked in Aurora and cemented his name in its history. This year, some of his artworks are coming home.
Arcouet moved to Aurora in 1872 at the age of 38 and immediately set up a photography studio at 18 Fox St. (now East Downer Place). In November of that year, his arrival was recognized on the front page of the Beacon News: “Aurora has a new artist in the person of C. Arcouet”.
THE BEACON NEWS NOVEMBER 30, 1872 CORNER FOX AND BROADWAY POSTCARD 1900S
The backdrop of Arcouet’s life in Aurora was industrialization. In 1872, most of the businesses were small, family-owned ventures. The city’s first hospital had just opened its doors. By 1881, Aurora had become the first city in Illinois -- and one of the first cities in the nation -- with electrified lights. Large manufacturing companies were setting up shop to produce carriages, watches, and other goods.
Arcouet was one of many photographers to set up shop in the growing city. One of his contemporaries, D.C. Pratt, also had a photography studio that produced several photographs held in our Genealogy and Community History Room.
CARTE DE VISITE OF UNKNOWN MAN, 1874 TAKEN BY D.C. PRATT
Sometime between 1884 and 1886, Casimir moved his studio from 18 Fox St. to 91 Fox St.
Casimir’sphotogalleryon91 FoxSt.labeled“Photo”on theSanbornFireInsurance Map,1888
In 1884, Casimir Arcouet married Marie Kasel. Their first daughter, Leah Arcouet, was born the next year. She y 1889 colle
NOVEMBER 13, 1889
Beyond photography, Leah appeared in his sculptures as well.
SCULPTURE OF LEAH
ARCOUET, 1887 (23 MONTHS OLD)
BRONZE BAS RELIEF OF THE ARCOUETS, 1897
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Some of his artworks were more fantastical in nature, such as this sculpture of the Devil wearing a hood and holding a masquerade mask.
Casimir’s sculptures were made with gypsum plaster (AKA plaster of Paris), the same material used to make orthopedic casts to set fractured bones.
THE DEVIL IN SOCIETY, CIRCA 1881
Casimir’s work was widely celebrated, adorning shop windows, homes, galleries, and government buildings.
THE AURORA DAILY EXPRESS
MARCH 20, 1893
THE BEACON NEWS APRIL 18, 1885
THE BEACON NEWS OCTOBER 13, 1886
THE AURORA DAILY BEACON OCTOBER 25, 1893
THE AURORA DAILY EXPRESS APRIL 24, 1894
APLD’s Genealogy and Community History Room currently houses one original artifact of Casimir’s: a photograph of an unknown man from 1873, likely taken at his gallery at 18 Fox St.
CARTE DE VISITE OF UNKNOWN MAN, 1873 TAKEN BY CASIMIR ARCOUET
Nancy A. Chiles (Arcouet's great-granddaughter) and Anna Chiles (Arcouet's great-great-granddaughter) will present Aurora's Artistic Roots: The Life of Casimir Arcouet at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 17 at Santori Library. This program will include never-before-seen artwork by Arcouet preserved for a generation by Leah Arcouet Chiles and her descendants who live in the South and are traveling to Aurora to bring him home.
These original artworks will be on display!
LEAH ARCOUET CHILES & HER COLLECTION OF ART by
Nancy A. Chiles The Aurora Story by Vernon Derry, 977.323 DERR,V