FRENCH PAINTERS AND THE MOVE TOWARDS THE SUN

A number of Impressionists, such as Monet and Van Gogh, left Paris at some point for the Mediterranean where the light inspired many famous works of art. As artists began to experiment with colour new techniques evolved. The use of tiny strokes of colour straight from the tube rather than from a brush gave rise to ‘Pointillism'; one famous exponent being Paul Signac. Signac spent many summers in the South of France and invited his friend Matisse to stay with him in St Tropez. Indeed, Matisse, in part due to WW2, remained in the South of France either in Nice or in the village of Vence (in the foothills behind the town) until his death.

Meanwhile, further along the coast, the startling paintings of the Fauves – wild beasts – gave birth to yet another artistic movement that astounded the early 20th century art world.

This lecture ties in with the upcoming RA Exhibition ‘Painting the French Riviera’ from 2nd October 2026.

IMAGES: Mont St Victoire with large Pine (Paul Cezanne) and Open Window (Henri Matisse). Both images courtesy of the lecturer.

How to book this event:

Entry is free to Members of TAS SW London, but guests are welcome to attend in return for a £10 fee at the door.

Doors open at 7:30 pm for the lecture at 8:00 pm.

This will be a hybrid lecture. The fee for non-members to watch online is £5. Please email theartssocietyswlondon@gmail.com for details of how to pay and for the link to the live stream.

THE ARTS SOCIETY ACCREDITED LECTURER

Ms Juliet Heslewood

Juliet studied History of Art at London University. For thirty years she lived in France where she became a lecturer on art and architecture in the Midi-Pyrenees area and gained a Masters degree in English Literature at Toulouse University. She has devised and led art study tours in some seven areas of France. As a writer, she has published many books - folktales, fiction and art - of which her History of Western Painting for Young People was translated into twelve languages. Returned to England she continues to write and hosts informal art history classes as well as lecturing widely for organisations including The Arts Society and the Ashmolean Museum. Her most recent book is Van Gogh: A Life in Places which led her to take part in the television series Art on the BBC.

GALLERY