Art in Aix

Thursday, August 27

Following a typical French breakfast each morning, we head off to the International Language Institute for three hours of French class. Then today the 17 of us met at La Bastide du Cours on the Cours Mirabeau (the main street of Aix) for a delightful lunch of salmon with garlic cream sauce. And, of course, there was a desert---this time tarte au citron--and expresso. (And did I mention wine with lunch?) The good thing about a nice lunch is that dinner becomes wine and cheese in a sidewalk cafe or on the patio at our hotel.

After lunch we dove into the art scene of Aix at the Musee Granet, one of the top art venues with a permanent collection of paintings and sculpture from 15th century French canvases to 20th century Giacometti sculptures. In addition, they are featuring "American Icons", a selection of works on loan from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. There were works from Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Alexander Calder, Richard Diebenkorn, and others. Here are a couple of my favorites.

 

Alexander Calder

 

Richard Diebenkorn

From there it was on to the Caumont Centre D'Art where the featured exhibition was the works of Canaletto. He painted scenes from Rome, London, and Venice. An aside: I learned that the Rialto Bridge in Venice was designed by Antonio da Ponte......an ancestor????? The Hotel de Gaumont is a fully restored private mansion from the 18th century. The ornate living quarters, the harpsicord, and the harp were excellent examples of the aristocracy of the times. The gardens, where tea and wine were served, were expertely manicured. My wish for sometime in this life is to be able to play a bach piece on a harpsicord for just a few minutes. Perhaps someday............

 

Sitting room at Caumont Centre d'Art

 

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