The Levacher family is first mentioned in Contremoulins archives around the late XVIIIth century and seems to originally come fromValmont region. Subsequently, the older branch of the family moved to Montivilliers while the younger branch moved to Criquebeuf-en-Caux, Yport, Saint-Valery-en Caux, and finally to Fécamp. Members of this younger branch made their living as millers, then farmers, eventually becoming rope makers. Under the French Restoration, the Levachers of Fécamp gradually became merchants and ship-owners, ascending into the localpetite bourgeoisie and enjoying a quick rise in social status. The family, however, would only hold this position for little less than a century. Louis Levacher's grandfather, a ship-owner and merchant also named Louis, was awarded the cross of Verdun and handed over his business management to his wife, Marguerite Grivel. His son, Louis' father and also named Louis owned a smokehouse whose buildings still partly belong to the family. Louis' mother, Denise Thomas, was a seamstress from a Doudeville family that dates back to the XVIIth century.
Early life and background
Louis was an only child and was born five years before the start of the Second World War. His parents divorced during the war. While his grandfather's endeavors continued in spite of the war, his father's were hampered by his deployment in 1940. Louis married Michèle Moreau and soon after his marriage, Louis had to leave for Algeria. Louis and Michèle had three children: two sons and a daughter. The eldest son was named "Louis", continuing the family tradition. Louis Levacher worked as a driver, as well as a painter and sculptor: it is for his artistic work that he is remembered. Art was very much a family endeavor for the Levachers: Louis and his wife Michèle worked together, creating works with a highly original, avant-garde style. Michèle exhibited her work in various places, including the Basque country. While well-recognized both in Normandy and beyond, their art did not make them rich. His daughter also specialized in collage and sculpture, exhibiting her work in the region several times.
Style and technique
Levacher used multiple techniques in his art, including painting and sculpture. His paintings, mixed figurative and abstract, often using large formats. His sculptures mix genres, with wood being used to represent saints or being formed into richly detailed totems.
