This painting is signed by Jean Houlik. We do not have precise information on the artist but legend says that Jean Houlik was a worker at the Springer et Compagnie factory and that he offered this painting to his employer. Since then, the artwork has always remained on site, changing buildings and offices over the years.
This work, which represents the Springer et Compagnie yeast factory, is a mine of information on the history of this site and Maisons-Alfort.
An “advertising” treatment characteristic of the first industrial revolution was used to symbolize the power and wealth of the company: the number of warehouses was exaggerated, as were the number of chimneys and the amount of black smoke that rose up in order to show the full activity of the site.
We can also see in the painting the current facade of the factory which was designed by the renowned architect Paul-Emile Friesé. With Paul-Émile Friesé, industrial architecture takes on its nobility. Indeed, he designed factory buildings like cathedrals: majestic, very elaborate…
At the bottom left of the painting we can see oxen crossing a bridge. These carts were used to deliver fresh yeast to bakers in Paris and throughout the Île de France region. Since that time, this bridge has been commonly called the “oxen bridge” by the inhabitants of Maisons-Alfort.
At the top left, we can see the Château de Réghat. In the 18th century, this hunting lodge hosted meetings between Louis XV, King of France and his mistress Madame de Pompadour. Today, this castle has been made available by Lesaffre to the town of Maisons-Alfort to house an educational farm and a museum on the history of the town and ancient professions. This initiative contributes to Lesaffre desire to be an engaged local player through charity: making their historical heritage accessible to the inhabitants of Maisons-Alfort.
In 1972, Lesaffre bought Springer, a company founded 100 years earlier by Baron Max de Springer, and thus acquired skills in yeast extracts, essential in particular for the preparation of soup and sauce. Springer is thus reborn as Biospringer by Lesaffre. The quality of the bond established between the two companies over a decade has sealed this alliance. Since then, Lesaffre has continued Springer’s heritage in the production of yeast extracts.
To find out more about Biospringer by Lesaffre: https://biospringer.com/fen/