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Contact Géraldine Dingwall - +33 (0)4 42 37 05 18 - [email protected]

The Cézanne sitesAix-en-Provence

Press Kit 2016

Contact Géraldine Dingwall - +33 (0)4 42 37 05 18 - [email protected]

BASTIDE DU JAS DE BOUFFAN 1859 / 1899From the painter’s homestead where he mastered his art, to the forthcoming centre of contemporary creation

ATELIER DE CÉZANNE 1901 / 1906From a haven of beauty, to a cultural space for all

CARRIÈRES DE BIBÉMUS 1895 / 1904From the stones which shaped Aix, to the red rocks immortalized by Cézanne

USEFUL INFORMATION

Contents

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3/12Contact Géraldine Dingwall - +33 (0)4 42 37 05 18 - [email protected]

We could almost go around the world, just to contemplate the greatest works of Art of the

painter Paul Cézanne, as the truth conveyed in his art - radical and brilliant, has reached

every corners of the world.

We could indeed; but we’d always end up in the same place: this little parcel of land, called

Provence. Because it is here, in the luminous town of Aix-en-Provence and the surrounding

area that we can hope to capture the intrigue of Paul Cézanne.

The man - a loner, not terribly affable and possessed by his work in every sense of the

word - is no longer here. Yet the stones of the houses he lived in, stones that watched him

work relentlessly, still whisper his visionary passion. Today, three places which most strongly

represent the man and his artistic career are preserved sites, attracting large numbers of

visitors: these are the Cézanne sites in Aix-en-Provence.

They make up a sort of physical and tangible passageway, providing an insight into the

essence of his works. They have the almost sacred feel to them that Victor Hugo referred

to when describing artists’ studios: hideaways which exude the artist’s faith and the im-

mense respect they devote to their work.

Place of inspiration; laboratory, refuge, place of communion, the three sites, BASTIDE

DU JAS DE BOUFFAN, ATELIER DE CÉZANNE and CARRIÈRES DE BIBÉMUS were all of

those things to the artist. For today’s visitor, they embody the “mystery of Cézanne”. That

gives some indication of just how much there is to see and to feel there, and what makes

them such special places of remembrance.

They are not only sites of ”witness”, but also stepping stone, for the divide between Cézanne

and contemporary works is continually being bridged. This has led to atelier de Cézanne

becoming a lively centre for contemporary creation, and Bastide du Jas de Bouffan is set

to follow in its footsteps.


A REFUGE TO INITIATIONWHAT’S IN A NAME?

The Jas de Bouffan, literally ”the house of

the winds”, is a typical, 18th century Proven-

çal manor house akin to a small château.

Set in Aix-en-Provence, Cézanne’s father

bought the property in 1859 when he was

20 years old. The Jas was sold by Cézanne

in 1899 (the master house and 15 hectares

of land, 5 of which still remain) and it is

now a listed building. It has belonged to

the town of Aix-en-Provence since 2002.

Bastide du Jas de Bouffan1859 - 1899

Whether he was in Paris or in Provence (at L’Estaque or Gardanne), Cézanne’s heart led him to this refuge for over forty years, despite the somewhat frosty welcome that his father offered him on occasions. Not only is this where he learned to paint, but it is also where he produced some of his most accomplished works: “The card players” (5 paintings), a sketch of the “Large Bathers”, and his first (1870) “Sainte-Victoire”.

Bastide du Jas de Bouffan held great significance for the artist. He neither sought it nor bought it, yet accepted it as his family home as he embarked upon a career as a painter against his father’s wishes.

Slowly, but with an unwavering, passion-fuelled obstinacy, he took possession of the big reception room, the attic, and then the gardens of the manor house and its surrounds. He would take whatever lay before him, use it and reveal it. Although some views appear regularly in his works, he didn’t intentionally turn his gaze towards the family home.

Driven by an inner desire to depict everything he saw, Cézanne experi-mented with new painting techniques constantly throughout his career. His works inspired by the landscapes around Jas de Bouffan have an impressionist, constructivist and synthetic feel to them.

FROM THE PAINTER’S HOMESTEAD WHERE HE MASTERED HIS ART...

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| The oval room taken over by Cézanne Between 1860 and 1870 the budding artist liked to practise his skills on the walls of the oval room on the ground floor. He painted twelve monumental works, which were removed from the wall from 1912 onwards. An audiovisual projection depicts his early works, notably the Four Seasons, the portrait of his father, “Louis Auguste Cézanne”, “The bather at the rock”, “The entrance to the chateau”, “The portrait of Achille Emperaire”, and “Contrast”.

| The gardens: his first outdoor studioCézanne would set up his easel in the gardens and paint whatever he laid his eyes upon. He didn’t seek out picturesque landscapes nor strive to immortalise his surroundings. He was forever explo-ring. The avenue of chestnut trees, the pond and its statues, the fountains, the copses, he would set upon whatever caught his eye, examine it and reproduce it using whichever technique he was experimenting with at the time. In total, the views before him inspired 36 oil paintings and 17 watercolours, including his first, “Sainte-Victoire seen from the gardens”, and his most notable landscape at the Jas: “House and farm at Jas de Bouffan” which reflects a subtle contrast of harmonies.

...TO THE FORTHCOMINGCENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY CREATION

The Jas de Bouffan is a site dedicated to the painter, and a project to turn it into a multi-faceted centre for contemporary creation is currently underway.

An internationally renowned exhibition centre dedicated to Cézanne’s works (themed exhibitions of around fifty works) or those of his disciples (Emile Bernard, Maurice Denis, Charles Camoin, Morandi, Balthus, Jasper Jones)

Artists’ residence

Cézanne documentation centre

A gathering place for landscape artists, nature art and land art, in the house’s 5 hectares of surrounding gardens

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| The master in his rooftop sanctuaryAround 1885, Paul Cézanne’s father set up a studio for his son under the eaves. Subjects followed in succession over the years, always inspired by his close environment: a portrait of house staff and stable boys working at the farm, several still lifes, “The card players” (5 paintings) and a number of self-portraits including “Self-portrait with palette”.

The paintings produced at Jas de Bouffan are an intrinsic element of Cézanne’s works. They are an essential reference in his career as an artist, which is what gives this site such importance.

LES JOUEURS DE CARTES, 1893-96 - 47 X 56 CM - PARIS, MUSÉE D’ORSAY

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Atelier de Cézanne1901 / 1906

In 1901, the ageing and increasingly isolated artist bought some land in the Lauves hills. Located on the edge of Aix-en-Provence, nestled within his beloved landscape, he designed and built his studio himself.Its silent, low-key and luminous atmosphere exudes creative intensity. Alone, confronted with himself, this is where Cézanne produced a num-ber of monumental works, such as ”The Large Bathers”. These final years of his life were to be the most fructuous.The studio provided new sources of inspiration, but for Cézanne it was above all a ”haven of beauty”. A sacred place where his entire being yearned to discover the artistic grail. It was here that his vision became Language and acquired a more uniform formality.A place of study and contemplation, sparsely furnished, his studio housed a handful of objects which the artist found useful. A pot of ginger, a Cupid statue, a collection of skulls which appear in his last still life paintings. The olive pot is depicted in 22 of his works.

FROM A HAVEN OF BEAUTY…

For Cézanne, these objects which he used as models held a secret.He believed that, for those who could see it: ”A sugar bowl can teach us as much about our-selves and our art as a Chardin...” or ”the day will come when the innocent observation of a carrot will start a revolution”. Perhaps the day when we will remember, as Paul Valery invited us to, that the word ”fire” is not fire... Today, a number of these objects sit on the shelves, still vibrant from the painter’s gaze. A little further, his presence is suggested by an easel and the artist’s gabardine.Upon leaving the Studio, close by, is the Chemin de la Marguerite, a headland offering a breathta-king view of the Sainte-Victoire mountain. Works painted at this spot have been reproduced and are displayed here. This creates an informative link between the surrounding nature and Cézanne’s paintings.

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... TO A CULTURAL SPACE FOR ALL

APRIL 1 TO MAY 28 | Exhibition: Typex - RembrandtThe Dutch author Typex frees up the fixed image of Rembrandt in a fragmented and human comic strip’s biography. How to discover Rembrandt’s studio in atelier de Cézanne.

Typex moves away from the standard biographical genre as from the frozen and sacred image of his subject. Through a fragmented and nonlinear narrative, he seeks to portray a Rembrandt whose truculence and bad character match the genius.

The story seems to focus on the man rather than the work. Howe-ver, it is a sham because if the narrative focuses on the supposed temperament of the painter and his social interactions, his baroque drawings however, directly question the master’s paintings. It mul-tiplies the visual quotes and recall that Rembrandt, in addition to being a great painter, was prolific in prints and drawings.

The exhibition at atelier de Cézanne is imagined as a darkroom offering several original pages and sketches by Typex.

Typex is a Dutch artist born in 1962. He graduated from the Ams-terdam College for the Arts.

He draws for many Dutch newspapers and magazines. It also publishes children’s books and comic strips. To date, Rembrandt is his only work translated into French.

“This is the greatest Dutch artist... I mean, the second greatest. First there is Rembrandt then there is Typex“. Nick Cave.

CONTEMPORARY PRESENCE 2016

Over the years, atelier de Cézanne has become a hub of contemporary creations. Sculptors, musicians, dancers, but also poets, actors or oenologists; a colourful collection of cultural figures keep this place alive.

To name but a few artists: Robert Combas, Ben, Jean-Michel Othoniel, Jean-Pierre Blanche, Vincent Bioulès, Vincent Beaurin, William Kentridge, Léo Marchutz, Ferrante Ferranti, or Herr Seel have all exhibited their works here. A “Contemporary Collection” is displayed alongside Paul Cézanne’s works all year round.

Next: Herr Seel in the midst of performing ”Cow Boy Henk versus Cézanne”

The exhibition is organized as part of the Rencontres du 9e Art. Detailed program on bd-aix.comNext: Rembrandt visual, ©Typex


FROM SEPTEMBER 26 TO DECEMBER 1| Nouveaux RegardsExhibition of the art school’s emerging artists

Since 2010, atelier de Cézanne and the Tourist Office, in partnership with the Art School of Aix-en-Provence, are together encouraging young talents. To this end, six students, about to com-plete their school’s term, were acompaned for a year by a professional jury.

For 3 months, these young talents will demons-trate a wide range of creative skills using all pos-sible media: painting, drawing, photography, video, sound and digital.

FROM JULY 12 TO AUGUST 16 EVERY TUESDAY EVENING

The CinémardisAtelier de Cézanne offers 6 outdoor film scree-nings in the garden of the Aix master show-casing American icons, a less conventional opportunity to discover this unspoiled location.

After having photographed between 1937 and 1938, the places that inspired the Impressionists, Renoir’s garden at Cagnes-sur-Mer and the one of Monet at Giverny, the church of Auvers-sur-Oise painted by Van Gogh, he immortalized the great artists of the twentieth century in their workshops: Viera da Silva, Zadkine, Cocteau, Picasso, Léger, Chagall, Vasarely, Soulages and many others who pose for him.

Willy Maywald (1907-1985) was a German photographer who worked in Paris in the field of fashion and portraits of personalities. Since childhood, Willy Maywald mixes with a refined and cultured clientele in his family hotel.

Passionate about dance, theater and film, he joined at 18 years old the School of Decorative Arts in Cologne, then three years later enrolled at the School of Fine Arts in Berlin, where he tries his hands at photography. He went for the first time in Paris in 1931 and worked as an assistant to the Russian photographer Harry Meerson who introduced him to the world of the haute couture. He attended the Montparnasse district, popular with the avant-garde in search of novelty. From this period were born friendships with Maria Elena Vieira da Silva, Hans Hartung, Anna-Eva Bergman, Leonor Fini, Marie Vassilieff...

He made many portraits of his friends, photos of artists’ studios and trendy cafes. He photographed the poster artist Cassandre, the hairdresser Antoine, the scientist Frederic Joliot-Curie...

In 1934, he became independent and opened his first studio “May Va“ in Paris. That’s when he met Christian Dior and discovered Lisa Fonssagrives, one of the earliest top model in the history of modeling...

Willy Maywald ends his career as a photographer in 1968. Since the 80s, he has been featured in many exhibitions.

Download atelier de Cézanne complete program

aixenprovencetourism.com

FROM JULY 7 TO SEPTEMBER 18| Willy MaywaldPhotographs of artists’ studios

VICTOR VASARELY

Trécy Afonso, Cléo Lhéritier - Lauréats 2015Photo © Carlos Casteleira

Willy Maywald, Victor Vasarely, Paris, 1947/48. © Association Willy Maywald - ADAGP


Carrières de Bibémus1895-1904

A treasure of Cézanne’s heritage. Bibémus is an impressive mineral architectural site chiselled from repeted extraction over centuries (from Roman times to the late 18th century) set in the depths of an untamed forest.

The rock, with its stunning tints and texture - it is the origin of Aix’s historical centre - lights up the forest with its flame coloured hues. Gold, amber and russet dance in the sun’s light. And each time of day has a special feel to it. From the searing midday rays to the soft whispers of twilight, the forest is alive with gleaming reflections.

It was here, in the midst of this chaotic, luminous landscape, that Cézanne pitched his easel between 1895 and 1904, and where he applied himself, brush in hand, to uncovering the secret of the raw material. His own personal equation contained a surprising mixture; a collision of air and pigments...

As the hours passed, he observed the versatility of the wildlife, enraptured by the colourful tricks of the light. His hand transformed the pine trees, oak trees and rocks which lay before him into centre stage actors; as if the nature in the painting only existed for the stroke of a brush.

FROM THE STONES WHICH SHAPED AIX

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Cézanne produced 11 oil paintings and 16 watercolours at Bibémus. Today, 5 landscapes depicted in his works can still be viewed:

| The ”red rock”held at the Orangerie Museum in Paris.

| Both the ”Carrières de Bibémus” one is owned by the Barnes Foundation, the other is part of Stephen Hahn’s collection in New-York.

| The ”Mont Sainte-Victoire seen from the Bibémus Quarry” held at the Baltimore Art Museum.

Cézanne also painted the Mont Sainte-Victoire from the terrace of his cottage.

... TO THE RED ROCKS IMMORTALISED BY CÉZANNE

As it is an outstanding place illustrated by an outstanding person, the Carrières de Bibémus have been slightly developed (listed site, under the 1930 law) by Aix-en-Provence's municipality. A trail follows existing paths which have been secured. No signposts hinder the view to ensure that the intimacy and fragility of the site remain intact. Discreet scenography helps visitors entering the quarry to gradually immerse themselves in this natural and picturesque spot.

LA CARRIÈRE DE BIBÉMUS VERS 1895HUILE SUR TOILE - 65 X 80 CM - ESSEN, MUSEUM FOLKWANG

LA MONTAGNE SAINTE-VICTOIRE VUE DE BIBÉMUS VERS 1897HUILE SUR TOILE - 65 X 81 CM - BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF ART

As you follow the signposted trail, your gaze will switch

from Cézanne’s works to the landscapes which inspi-

red them. A reproduction on lava stone stands at each

”Cézanne viewpoint”, demonstrating the composition

and perspective of the artist’s works. This comparison

also gives us an insight into the richness of Cézanne’s

palette.

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OPENING TIMES BASTIDE DU JAS DE BOUFFAN

1 April to 31 May 1 to 31 October

Open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays

10.30, 12.00 and 15.30 14.00

1 June to 30 SeptemberOpen every day

10.30, 12.00 and 15.30 14.00

1 November to 31 March Open on Wednesdays and Saturdays

10.30 12.00

OPENING TIMES ATELIER DE CÉZANNE

1 April to 30 June1 to 30 September

Open every day 10.00 to 12.30 - 14.00 to 18.00

Tours 10.00 and 14.00* Tours 17.00

1 July to 31 August Open every day 10.00 to 18.00

1 October to 31 March Open every day 10.00 to 12.30 - 14.00 to 17.00

Tours 10.00 and 14.00* Tours 16.00

OPENING TIMES CARRIÈRES DE BIBÉMUS

1 April to 31 May1 to 31 October

Open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays 15.00 10.30

1 June to 30 SeptemberOpen every day

09.45

1 November to 31 MarchOpen on Wednesdays and Saturdays

15.00

Closed from 1 to 10 January, 1 May, 25 December and Sundays in January, February, December.

*Other guided tour times may be available Tourist Office or at: booking.aixenprovencetourism.com

Closed from 1 to 10 January, 1 May, 25 December

Closed from 1 to 10 January, 1 May, 25 December

Usefulinformation 2016


Scan for further information about the City Pass

Pass Aix-en-Provence& the Aix Region in

72hrs

24hrs 48

hrsThe #provenceaixperience City Pass packs all of Provence into a great price to make the most of our destination with your loved one, family or friends.

PRICES FOR EACH SITE* ARE AS FOLLOWS:

INDIVIDUALS• FULL PRICE €6 per pers.*

• REDUCED PRICE €2.50 per pers. (13 to 25 years inclusive)*

• FREE under 12s (on the day of the visit), long-term job seekers, persons with reduced mobility, press and ICOM, tour guides, Pass City Pass #provenceaixperience holders

(proof of status must be shown)

GROUPS (from 15 pers.)*

• FULL PRICE €5 per pers.

• REDUCED PRICE €3 per pers. (if the group is accompanied by a guide from the Aix Tourist Office)

*Carrières de Bibémus Includes €1.10 Shuttle bus from the Trois Bons Dieux car park, extra charge. Craggy route requires good level of fitness. Please check access conditions to the plateau the night before: www.paca.pref.gouv.fr/files/massif (zone Concors Sainte-Victoire), and from June to September +33 (0)8 11 20 13 13

No pets allowed on any sites

€6

Free

TICKETSBOOKING

INDIVIDUALS (booking advice)

• from the atelier de Cézanne, from the bastide du Jas de Bouffan (the day of the visit)

• from the Tourist Office of Aix-en-Provence 300, avenue Giuseppe Verdi Info +33 (0)4 42 161 161

• on booking.aixenprovencetourism.comNo booking by phone

GROUPS (booking essential)

• ATELIER DE CÉZANNE :

Fabienne Morucci +33 (0)4 42 21 63 56 +33 (0)4 42 21 90 34

[email protected]

• BASTIDE DU JAS DE BOUFFAN AND CARRIÈRES DE BIBÉMUS:

Nathalie Lemelle +33 (0)4 42 16 11 65 +33 (0)4 42 16 11 62

[email protected]

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