Born in 1795, Charles-Jean Avisseau served his apprenticeship with the potters and earthenware makers of Saint-Pierre-des-Corps. At the same time, he studied at the École de dessin (drawing school) in Tours.
Impressed by the works of the ceramist Bernard Palissy, he set out to rediscover this lost art.
He settled in the Faubourg-Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, opposite the church, and began his research with Joseph Landais.
He drew his inspiration from the wildlife and plants of the banks of the Loire for his ceramics. By around 1846 his reputation was established and he was hailed as the “new Palissy”.
Throughout his career he worked alongside his children, Édouard and Caroline. But his art was not enough to support his family.
Poisoned by the materials he used to make his enamels, Charles-Jean Avisseau died in poverty in 1861.