2025 Essays

Julienne Mathieu

Álvarez San Román, Mercedes

Julienne Alexandrine Mathieu is known for her roles as an actress, mainly in films by Segundo de Chomón during their time at the French company Pathé Frères in the first decade of the twentieth century. She appeared in more than sixty films, often in an unusual role for women, that of the “illusionist,” a magician who entertains the audience by performing tricks. She is therefore considered one of the most prolific actresses known from that time. However, my research suggests that she was also involved behind the camera, collaborating with Chomón in the creation of film tricks and animated scenes, which made her one of the first women in the fields of special effects and animation.