Painting the French Riviera

Painting the French Riviera
at the Royal Academy
until 31 January 2027
Monday 21 December, 6pm 

What better way to bring light into the darkness of  midwinter than to look forward to the warmth and luminosity of the French Riviera? As the days have got shorter, the Royal Academy has continued to celebrate how, from the late 19th century, the greatest artists were drawn to the Côte d'Azur - the 'azure coast' of the south of France. Delighted by the deep blue of the sea and the reflected light of the clear skies, Monet thought it was like 'swimming in blue air', while Braque called it 'a joyful revelation'.

This is a large exhibition which charts the development of Impressionism, Post-Impressionism and beyond, into Modernism, following the artists' escape from the drabness of cities to find different ways of expressing the essence of the South, its remarkable atmosphere, and its 'carefree glamour and eternal romance' - to quote the Royal Academy itself.

We will look at the very best of what is on offer - Monet, Matisse, Dufy (an underestimated artist, in my opinion), Cross and Klein - bringing warmth and light to the heart of winter.

Please remember, I do not record my talks.