Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PAINTERS IN PROVENCE
1. PAUL CEZANNE
Born in Aix, where he lived most of his life, Cézanne (1839-1906) painted hundreds of
oil and watercolour scenes of his home town and the nearby
Mont Sainte-Victoire
in
his own Post-Impressionist style. Better than any other painter, he captures the soul
of Provence.
View photo
2. VINCENT VAN GOGH
The Dutch master (1854-90) created hundreds of his vivid, powerful landscapes and
self-portraits during his few years in Arles and St-Rémy. The sunshine of Provence
changed the way Van Gogh saw light and colour.
3. PABLO PICASSO
The driving force behind the Cubist movement, Picasso (1881-1973) was influenced
by the sights and colours of Provence, where he lived in exile from his native Spain for
much of his life. He learned to make ceramics from the potters of Vallauris and helped
revive the craft.
4. HENRI MATISSE
Matisse (1869- 1954) lived in Nice from 1917 until his death. His earlier works were
inspired by the vivid light and colours of the Riviera. During World War II he re-
treated to Vence, where he designed the unique
Chapelle du Rosaire
, including its
wonderful vestments and furnishings.
5. PAUL SIGNAC
The masterful exponent of pointillist style, Signac (1863- 1935) came to St-Tropez in
1892. He found, in the glittering reflection of sun on sea, the perfect subject for poin-
tillism's technique of using a myriad of tiny rainbow dots to depict swathes or blocks
of colour, giving an almost psychedelic effect.
