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Cézanne and Van Gogh in Provence with Pamela Morton
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Cézanne and van Gogh have shaped our visions of Provence, with its blue skies, sea, mountains, parasol pines, olive trees, and sunflowers. What moves us most, however, is the expressive power of their paintings. These are visionary works, artistic evocations not only of Provence’s bold light and landscapes but of ideas and feelings. It was in Provence where the two founders of modern art came into their own. Although they shared the same inspiration – the southern light and landscape – the paintings they produced are profoundly different in conception. Each in his own way revolutionized modern conceptions of art.
This conversation will look at the art of Cézanne and van Gogh within the context of the South. It considers how their different responses to place (the southerner vs the northerner) and their different artistic choices (classical form vs exotic color) led to a new, open art of self-expression.
Led by Pamela Morton an expert on the art and artists of the south of France, this interactive seminar will focus on the Provençal paintings of Cézanne and van Gogh. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of the work of these two artists and its connection with the setting in which it was produced.
Originally from the US, Pamela has lived in France (Aix-en-Provence and Marseille) for 25 years. Pamela teaches studio art and art history for American university programs in Aix. She trained in art restoration in Italy and has a background in museum work as a curatorial assistant and program director. She is also an artist working in mixed media -- drawing and painting. She attended Bennington College and California College of the Arts. She's worked as the on-site director for a study abroad program and for educational programs including the Smithsonian, Alumni International and Cultural Experiences Abroad. She's taught for Northwestern University, Oberlin College, and the Marchutz School of Art (Aix). As an art historian, Pamela is endlessly fascinated by the local culture, the archaeology, history, and architecture of the region as well as its monuments and museums. As a painter, she is intrigued by the light and colors of this southern realm, the Midi, where so many artists lived and worked. Her two favorite artists from Provence are Cézanne and van Gogh.
Not suitable for children under age 13 (sensitive content).
90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.
It was most valuable to look at well-known paintings by Cézanne and Van Gogh with an eye to how Provence affected and changed them. To someone familiar with most of the paintings but not schooled in technique or art history, it was a revelation to see the very different ways that each painter responded to the sunlit world around him. Pamela Morton made a clear case for each of those masters’ discoveries, selecting features of the paintings that I could readily see (once she pointed them out!) and providing succinct, salient information on the artists' lives and the innovations now called Post-Impressionist. Thank you also for the opportunity to watch this program again in the ensuing week.
The presentation was extremely interesting and informative. I learned quite a bit about Cezanne and Van Gogh, even though I was already fairly knowledgeable about them. Pamela is a great presenter and the time went by extremely quickly!
I learned a great deal about both painters. Pamela's lecture was engaging and interesting. I loved the paintings she chose as well as the thoughtful comparisons between them. This seminar was wonderful! I highly recommend it to anyone interested in art, art history, and Provence.
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It was very interesting to compare such different painters but it was a pity that the sound was defective.