Vence and La Fondation Maeght

Vence, and La Fondation Maeght

One of the many old narrow streets in the town of Vence.

Some of them even narrower.

Plumbago is everywhere, blue as well as white.

Still narrower - there was no one out and about - our walk was very personal and private.

l'Hôtel de Ville on the left and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Nativity in bright sunlight.
in the Place Clemençeau.

Some of the narrow streets get very little sunshine.

The Place Godeau in the deep shadow of the late afternoon sun.

Fondation Maeght, St. Paul de Vence

Fondation Maeght is located just outside the village of Vence off the La Colle road.
(a modern sculpture marks the turn into the side road).This museum is world-renowned, and deserves the reputation.
The collection of 20th-century paintings, sculptures and ceramics is extensive and excellent,
and the museum setting, inside and outside, is beautiful: light, running water, trees, shade, grass,
nature and total serenity. We were the only visitors in the late afternoon quiet.

We saw a wonderful exhibit of paintings and sculpture called "Black is a Color Too"

Joan Miró - "Personage" 1920

"Les Renforts" (1965) of Alexander Calder, Alberto Giacometti to the left rear, and Joan Miró to the right in the far corner.

The Calder and the Giacometti from a slightly different angle.

Alexander Calder

Joan Miró (center) - A work by Alberto Giacometti can be seen on the extreme right behind this Miró.
On the far wall is a portion of the Pierre Tal-Coat mosaic.

Sculpture by Joan Miró and a closer view of another portion of the Tal-Coat mosaic.

Dennis took this picture of Chagall's large mosaic "Les Amoureux" (1964-1967)
Mounted on the façade of the Foundation building outside the book shop.

Joan Miró

A view of the "Labyrinthe de Miró" showing multilevels and walls as well as the
"Femme à la chevelure défaite" and "L'Œuf de mammouth"

"L'Œuf de mammouth" (1963) found in the maze of the "Labyrinthe de Miró"

Dennis takes a picture of me taking a picture of "L'Œuf de mammouth"
At right in the backgroud is Miró's "La Déesse" (1963, ceramic)
The late afternoon sun has provided almost theatrical lighting!

"Femme à la chevelure défaite" (1968) Joan Miró and more magical lighting from the afternoon sun.

"L'Oiseau solaire" (1968) Joan Miró

"L'Oiseau lunaire" (1968) of Joan Miró

View through a gallery window to the Giacometti Courtyard

The Giacometti Courtyard

"Fontaine" of Pol Bury (1978)
The falling water slowly fills each stainless steel tube eventually causing it to
suddenly tip and spill its water into the fountain basin. The tube then tilts upward
to fill again and repeat the process, each tube in its own time.
This is one of Dennis's photos.

Looking south toward the Mediterranean. On a clear day Cannes and the sea
can be seen.

"La Fourche" (1963) of Joan Miró
Dennis took this dramatic picture against the late afternoon sky.

A ceramic by Ferdinand Léger (1953) on the exterior wall of the Chapelle Saint-Bernard.
Dennis's excellent shot.

The Chapelle Saint-Bernard
The Léger ceramic is to the left of the door and not visible here.
On the lawn is another piece by Alexander Calder.

A Sixteenth Century Spanish Crucifix and stained glass by Georges Braque are found in
The Chapelle Saint-Bernard built in memory of the Maeght's youngest son who died in 1953 at age 11.
The loss of Bernard after a long illness was very painful for Marguerite and Aimé Maeght and it was here
in Saint-Paul where they sought comfort and first had the idea of creating a meeting
place for their artist friends.

Leaving Saint-Paul de Vence with the sunlight fading.