Rochers de l’Ile Besse, Agay 1914

Armand Guillaumin (1841-1927) was a French painter best known for his Impressionist landscapes. He studied drawing part-time while working various jobs, including an underwear shop managed by his uncle! In 1891, at the age of 50, everything changed for Guillaumin. He won 100,000 francs in the French lottery, providing him with the financial security he needed to become a full-time painter. 🍀 Guillaumin completed this painting, Rochers de I’lle Besse, Agay (1914), in his seventies. It depicts the rocky coast in Agay, near the French Riviera. Here, the artist represents the natural beauty of the landscape in his signature style of Impressionism. Rather than focussing on realistic detail and steady lines, Guillaumin captures the energy of his surroundings. Take a look at the thick, loose brushstrokes of the cliffs. When combined with the warm red hue, the effect is vibrant and full of life. 🪨 The intense colour palette of this oil painting allows us to fully immerse ourselves in the view. Can you hear the rush of the waves, and feel the rays of the sun on your skin? Prior to the popularity of French Impressionism, artistic landscape paintings often depicted artificial and imagined landscapes. These traditional landscapes emphasised perfection and harmony. This is in contrast to Guillaumin’s landscapes, which seek to encapsulate the real essence and energy of the location. 🌅 Editor: Lucy Jude Grantham