Throughout history, culture, climate and unique clarity of light, the Côte d’Azur has creatively influenced the biggest artists on the art scene. For many, this region has been an escape from the trappings of metropolitan life. The Mediterranean Sea continues to beckon artists who seek refuge and rejuvenation. Each artist’s autobiography contains a common anecdote – a moment or period of reflection set against the landscape of the French Riviera. For example, in 1946, Pablo Picasso left occupied Paris for Antibes, where he spent three months working tirelessly in the Grimaldi Chateau. Three years later, Marc Chagall bought a home nearby Vence where he crossed paths with many other artists including Henri Matisse, Fernand Léger, Alexander Calder and Joan Miró, all of whom would go on to be early exhibitors at the Fondation Maeght.

Like every year, the exhibition sheds light on the greatest masters who revolutionised the art world. However, this year’s chosen theme simultaneously celebrates the special location of the Côte d’Azur and the profound influences it has had on the artists.