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THE IMPORTANCE OF
LE ROCHER LANDSCAPE| Exhibition
10 December 2023 - 25 January 2024
La Vitrine Contemporaine de Monaco
Palais de la Scala,
1 avenue Henri Dunant
MONTE CARLO 98000
MONACO
Press
FOR MEDIA
Embark on a captivating exploration of the artistic evolution of landscape, tracing its roots from ancient times to the modern era. Witness the transformation of Le Rocher's panoramic views, as depicted by talented artists across different centuries and artistic movements.
Landscape, as an artistic genre, traces its origins back to ancient civilizations. The Greeks and Romans adorned their walls with depictions of landscapes and gardenscapes, setting the stage for the evolution that lay ahead. Following the decline of the Roman Empire, landscapes took a backseat, serving merely as settings for religious and figural scenes until the 16th century.
A pivotal turning point emerged during the Renaissance, as artists began to perceive landscapes as subjects in their own right. The term "landscape" itself finds its roots in the Dutch word "landschap," initially meaning "region" but evolving into its artistic connotation of "a picture depicting scenery on land" in the early 1500s.
In the 17th century, the classical landscape was born, influenced by classical antiquity and aiming to portray an idealized landscape reminiscent of Arcadia, the legendary pastoral beauty of ancient Greece.
The 19th century witnessed a transformative period for landscape art. The Industrial Revolution reshaped traditional rural life, leading to a shift in artistic focus. Barbizon painters, such as Théodore Rousseau and Charles Daubigny, embraced plein air painting, moving away from idealized classical landscapes to capture the raw beauty of nature.
Le Rocher Through the Ages:
Monaco's distinctive and picturesque perch on a rocky outcrop has beckoned artists for centuries. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the coveted perspective was from Cap D'Ail, now known as the "Promenade Cap-d'Ail," a favourite haunt for morning runners and dog walkers alike. This viewpoint, even today, remains truly spectacular, casting Le Rocher in a new light, its silhouette enhanced by Fontvieille, and the untamed foliage replaced by contemporary villa architecture, adorned with palm trees, olives, and bougainvillea plants.
Our current exhibition highlights the historical panorama of Le Rocher's view from the Promenade Cap-d'Ail, featuring a late 19th-century painting by an unknown artist. Executed in a studio from the artist's sketches, this masterpiece encapsulates the 19th-century allure of Rocher.
Continuing our journey, we explore an early 20th-century landscape by Xavier Sager, a French artist born in 1870. Recognised for creating numerous postcards, magazine illustrations, and a handful of sculpted figures, Sager's fascination with Monaco is evident in over 10 views, primarily from the Promenade Cap-d'Ail, each bearing his signature, capturing the rock and palace in varying angles.
Adding another layer to our exhibition is a piece by artist G. de Rumme, active in Monaco during the period of 1920-1950. Intriguingly mysterious, de Rumme's contribution to the artistic landscape prompts a call for information and insights from our audience.If you know anything about this artist we will be thrilled to know more.
Concluding our visual journey is a contemporary creation by Monaco artist Zoia Skoropadenko, a contemporary landscape master of Monaco. Renowned for her powerful Japanese ink drawings, Skoropadenko known for 35 views of Monaco Palace, drawing series inspired by the Japanese painter Hokusai's iconic 35 views of Fuji. A seamless fusion of tradition and modernity, Skoropadenko's work encapsulates the enduring allure of Monaco's landscapes.
