Evening Lecture: French Painters & the Move Towards the Sun
Impressionism liberated the next generation of French artists and the explosion of colour associated with the movement found full expression when the artists discovered the luminous light of the Mediterranean coast.
Not only Monet & Van Gogh headed to the Mediterranean. Signac, an exponent of Pointillism, settled in St Tropez. and invited his friend, Matisse, to visit. The latter spent the last years of his life in the south of France and the windows in the Matisse Chapel in Venice are a wonderful memorial to his work on light and colour.
Gauguin famously lived with Van Gogh for a short period in Arles (until their friendship broke down) and a number of artists of the time (such as Cezanne) produced some of their most memorable works in the region.
Later, further along the coast, the startling paintings of the Fauves – wild beasts – gave birth to yet another new movement that astounded the early 20th century art world.
This lecture should complement the Royal Academy Exhibition called ‘Painting the French Riviera’ that opens on 2nd October 2026.
Event Performance Details
Event Location
The Community Church
Venue InfoWerter Road
London
SW15 2LL
