Did you know that the famous painter Marc Chagall spent the summer of 1926 working in the Auvergne, in Chambon-sur-Lac?

In 2018, the town of Brioude in Auvergne, known for its rich history and artistic heritage, hosted a captivating exhibition dedicated to Marc Chagall, an emblematic figure of modern art. Held at the local art museum, the exhibition, entitled "Chagall: DU COQ A L'ANE ," brought together a diverse array of Chagall’s works, including paintings, drawings, and lithographs.

Chagall was a painter but also an engraver. In 1962, André Malraux (Minister of Culture) asked him to create a fresco to adorn the ceiling of the Garnier opera house in Paris.

The exhibition in Brioude showcased Chagall's use of colour and imagery, capturing the essence of his unique artistic vision. The curators did an excellent job presenting his works in a way that was both educational and visually stunning. It was an inspiring visit that deepened my appreciation for Chagall's art.

Overall, the Marc Chagall exhibition in Brioude was a beautiful experience that not only celebrated his artistic achievements but also painted a portrait of his enduring impact on the world of art.

This exhibition is essential for admirers of Chagall, but also for people who want to discover modern art.

Octave Marceau

Picasso the ultimate work : homage to Jacqueline

In the town of Brioude, you can visit the Musée Le Doyenné, near the Saint-Julien basilica on the Place Lafayette. The museum features various exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. The "Picasso, l'œuvre ultime: hommage à Jacqueline" exhibition in 2019 offered a captivating plunge into Pablo Picasso's last creative phase, through Jacqueline Roque's influence on his art. Through iconic works such as "Jacqueline aux jambes pliées" (1955) and "Jacqueline aux fleurs" (1954), the artist depicts with fascination the face and body of his muse with incomparable emotional depth and technique.

The selection of works by exhibition curator Jean-Louis Prat reveals the richness and diversity of Jacqueline's representations over the years, offering visitors an immersion into Picasso's intimacy. Each piece testifies to the artist's consuming passion for his subject, with expressive and evocative power.

"Femme assise au chapeau jaune et vert" (1962) perfectly embodies this bond between artist and muse, revealing a masterful fusion of form and colour that testifies to the intensity of their relationship. Picasso transcends the limits of traditional representation to create a unique visual universe, where Jacqueline's beauty blends harmoniously with his own artistic vision.

As you go through this exhibition, you can't help but be overwhelmed by the emotional power emanating from each painting, testifying to the impact Jacqueline had on Picasso's life and work. It's a moving tribute to an artistic and human relationship, eloquently affirming Picasso's conviction that "painting is stronger than me, it makes me do what it wants".

Armand Marceau