Philippe Curtius Philippe Curtius Philippe Curtius (1737–1794) was a Swiss physician and wax modeller who taught Marie Tussaud the art of wax modelling. Marie Grosholtz, the future Marie Tussaud, lived in the Berne home of Curtius, for whom her mother acted as housekeeper. Marie called him 'Uncle', and in many ways he was a father figure. Curtius used his skill in wax modelling to illustrate anatomy as a physician, and sometimes for the entertainment of visitors. Later, he started to do portraits. Curtius created beautiful anatomical wax models that were admired by the Prince de Conti. In 1765, Curtius was persuaded to
Philippe Curtius a lot of people. The exhibition moved to the in 1776. Curtius was admitted a member of the Academy of St-Luc in 1778. He opened a second location on Boulevard du Temple in 1782, the Caverne des Grands Voleurs, a precursor to the later Chamber of Horrors. Curtius taught Marie the art of wax modelling. When he died in 1794, he left his collection of waxworks to her. In 1795, she married Francois Tussaud, and her later success in the waxworks business made the name "Tussaud" the most famous one in that form of art. She also became the matriarch