An unidentified 21st-century French artist, influenced by Matisse, is spotlighted in a groundbreaking exhibit deep in Provence.
Discover the mesmerizing world of François Aubrun, a French painter, at the heart of Provence's Domaine Saint-Joseph in Tholonet. This magnificent exhibition brings Aubrun's profound and meditative artwork to life, shedding light on a 20th-century artist who once dwelled in the shadows of the art world – but no longer. This immersive retrospective invites you to delve into the abstract work of Aubrun, a blend of spirituality and nature that is nothing short of essential.
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Aubrun Under the Spotlight: An Exceptional Exhibition Near Aix-en-Provence
Situated at the foot of the Sainte-Victoire mountain, the Domaine Saint-Joseph serves as more than just an art venue; it's the very cradle where Aubrun sought refuge from Paris's chaos to devote himself wholly to art. This vibrant sanctuary, now an art haven, plays host to "Aubrun in Full Light," an exhibition-concept thoughtfully curated by Aubrun's grandson, Romain Pierre, art historian Romain Mathieu, and Paul Gaillard.
The experience commences in an aged greenhouse, surrounded by earthenware pots, where Aubrun's earliest figurative gouaches take center stage. Here, the artist's influence from Matisse, Nicolas de Staël, as well as the radiant landscapes of the Côte d'Azur and Brittany, is palpable. The essence of light, a cornerstone of his entire oeuvre, shines bright.
The Journey from Crisis to Abstraction
In 1958, Aubrun grappled with a creative crisis, abruptly halting his painting to explore writing. His experimental texts, brimming with tactile and luminous sensations, resound in the Domaine's oratory, narrated by Paul Gaillard's voice. In 1962, he returned to painting in the tranquil silence of the night, embarking on a radical transformation towards abstraction.
The exhibition climaxes in the chapel of the Jesuits, reimagined as a contemplative sanctuary. Transparent, almost ethereal artworks adorn the nave, reminiscent of the Rothko Chapel in Houston. The placement of the artworks illustrates a progression towards simplicity, a quasi-mystical pictorial journey from gesture to withdrawal, from visible to invisible.
Light, Silence, and Monochromes
Aubrun's exploration of light in painting pushed it to its most intense form. He gradually simplified his palette, shrinking his means without renouncing the subtlest nuances of color. His final works, dominated by deep blacks, assume a spiritual intensity. Three large black paintings, displayed along the chapel's axis, evoke a symbolic Trinity, teetering between blindness, annihilation, and rebirth – a final homage to Rothko, perhaps.
The exhibition runs until September 28 at the Domaine Saint-Joseph, Tholonet. Do not miss this breathtaking immersion for all art enthusiasts, of light... and silence.
"Aubrun in Full Light"May 23 - September 28, 2025Domaine Saint-JosephTholonet, Francewww.aubrun2025.com
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In the realm of art and culture, explore the transformation of François Aubrun from an obscure 20th-century artist to a beacon of abstract expressionism, as depicted in the extensive exhibition "Aubrun in Full Light" at the Domaine Saint-Joseph in Tholonet. This engaging retrospective blends Aubrun's home and garden, as you wander through the chapel where he sought solace, creating a captivating intermingling of lifestyle and in-flights to this remarkable Provencal destination.
