Page 82 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

80  PROVENCE AREA B Y AREA

Fondation Maeght

Nestling amid the umbrella pines in the hills above St-Paul . Cour Giacometti
de Vence, this small modern art museum is one of the world’s Slender bronze figures by
finest. Aimé and Marguerite Maeght were Cannes art dealers Alberto Giacometti, such
as L’Homme Qui Marche I
who numbered the likes of Chagall, Matisse and Miró among (1960), inhabit their own
their clients and friends. Their private collection formed the shady courtyard or
basis for the museum, which opened in 1964. Like St-Paul appear about the
itself, the Maeght has been a magnet for celebrities: Duke grounds as if they
have a life of
Ellington, Samuel Beckett, André Malraux, Merce their own.
Cunningham and, of course, a galaxy of the artists
themselves have mingled at fundraising events. The
museum now receives over 200,000 visitors each year.
La Vie (1964)
Marc Chagall’s painting is
full of humanity: here is love,
parenthood, religion, society,
nature; all part of a swirling,
circus-like tableau of dancers
and musicians, acrobats
and clowns.

Les Renforts (1963)
One of many works of art that greet arriving
visitors, Alexander Calder’s creation is a “stabile”
– a counterpart to his more familiar mobiles.
Gallery
KEY
Guide
1 Cowled roofs allow indirect The permanent
light to filter into the galleries. The collection is
building was designed by Spanish comprised entirely
architect Josep Lluis Sert. of 20th-century art.
2 Les Poissons is a mosaic pool The only items on
designed by Georges Braque in 1963. permanent view are the
3 Chapelle St-Bernard was built large sculptures in the
in memory of the Maeghts’ son, who grounds. The indoor galleries
died in 1953, aged 11. Above the display works from the
altarpiece, a 12th-century Christ, is collection in rotation but,
a stained-glass window by Braque. in summer, only temporary
exhibitions are held.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp198–9 and pp208–11