A painter and sculptor, she is known for the unsentimental depiction of her surroundings and people around Mons, a town in the mining area of the Borinage.
Born in Rouen on December 31, 1866, Douard was the daughter of a pianist (mother) and a theater director. The family moved a lot, however the majority of her childhood was spent in Mons. She served a short apprenticeship at a studio in Brussels, and continued her studies in Mons (1883-86) where she won a number of prices.

Antoine Boulard, the Director of the Académie des Beaux Arts recognized and supported her talent. Her time in Mons (until 1904) was the artistically most productive time in her life, where besides her painting, she gave private art lessons ...