MuCEM re-opens with its expo Picasso, Un Genie Sans Piedestal: Picasso et les Arts et Traditions Populaires’ which is well worth a visit. Presented with the support of the Musee Picasso-Paris, along with other international loans, the show has 270 works This show, a unique collection of Picasso’s works on …

Depending on your perspective the tiny village of Aureille, on the southern slopes of the Alpilles, is either old-school Provence at its best or way too sleepy. If this part of Provence were America’s wild west, Aureille might be described as a “one horse town.” There are two main roads, …

Aix-Centre-ville has been graffiti-free since Madame le Maire waged war on the taggers, paying a company to remove them within 48 hours. And she was surely right to do so, as much of it was just a mess. But increasingly, resourceful shop owners are decorating their store fronts by using …

Artists and Art Teachers in Provence Provence is an endless canvas for artists, writers, photographers and frankly anyone with a fragment of a creative side. A place famous for its magical light, Provence has inspired master painters Cezanne, Matisse, Picasso, Van Gogh and many of today’s creators (photos below). Tessa Baker …

This exhibition brings together many of the paintings and sculptures that the musée Granet has collected over the past decade. The museum has, since its inception, been the recipient of donations from various local aristos and painters, but it is increasingly buying works to enrich the collection.

The Musée Regards de Provence is always worth visiting. The current exhibition, Vies Silencieuses, focuses on still-life paintings, many from the gallery’s collection of provencal art. But it starts with some 16th-century Dutch paintings, which are amazing in their faithful detail and feature peonies, stripy tulips, dewdrops, and butterflies.

I cannot claim to be an art critic however I know what I like and this summer I was invited to a vernissage (from the French verb to varnish which is an interesting choice!). This preview event is usually by invitation and what better setting than Crillon-le-Brave? Nestling into the …

MUCEM seems to specialise in quirky off-beat subjects for its exhibitions. ‘J’Aime Les Panoramas’ is a case in point. It starts with this remark made by Jean Dujardin in a film (see photo of scene) and then walks us through the history of panoramic painting and photography.

Just seen the announcement from the Musée Granet that the summer blockbuster exhibition will be dedicated to the life and work of Charles Camoin.  Great news. This painter who was influenced by Cézanne and Fauvism.         

Much has been written about Vincent Van Gogh’s life, the famous Dutch painter who led an expressive, tortured life. This statue le voleur de tournesol (the Sunflower Thief) by Gabriel Sterk may just capture the essence of Van Gogh’s work – as you never quite look at sunflowers, irises, olive trees …