There are places whose scenery and charm are capable of awakening the genius of the most sensitive minds. Its history and peaceful nature became the source of inspiration for artists who, in search of new paradigms, found in them the perfect combination, which boosted their imagination and creativity, to the point of giving birth to, what are considered, their most outstanding works. Places that became famous for their links with these artists, but without which, it is impossible for us to imagine their trajectory.
GIVERNY AND MONET
In 1883 the impressionist master Claude Monet rented a house in the small village of Giverny, 74 kilometers from Paris, where he worked until the end of his days. Located on the right bank of the Seine River, this captivating village became famous all over the world thanks to the canvases that the artist painted from his garden. This place has become a place of pilgrimage for any lover of impressionism, since it still preserves the water lily pond, the Japanese bridge, the willows and flowers that inspired the artist and that he himself designed and cultivated.
The presence of the master of Impressionism in Giverny attracted many artists of different nationalities, who also contributed to making this locality a particularly emblematic place.
ARLES AND VAN GOGH
Van Gogh’s most productive period is linked to the charming French city of Arles, located on the banks of the Rhone. According to Van Gogh himself, the extraordinarily beautiful nature of this town in the south of France, where he lived for 15 months, was completely inimitable, intoxicating him to such an extent that he could only let himself go and paint, without any rules or constraints. In fact, with the light of the place and its narrow streets, Van Gogh perfected that unique and unrepeatable style, for which he has gone down in the history of art. The more than 300 paintings and drawings he made, including such iconic works as The Starry Night, The Yellow House and Le Café le Soir, are the best testimony of the artistic greatness achieved by Van Gogh during his stay in Arles. The irresistible attraction we feel when observing his works is undoubtedly the result of the same passion with which Van Gogh was able to immortalize his intense connection with the landscape. After 135 years, the mark left by the artist, after his stay in Arles, is still more alive than ever, and the places where the artist set up his easel can be found.
MONT-ROIG DEL CAMP AND MIRÓ
“All my work is conceived in Mont-roig”. In this way Joan Miró recognized the decisive role played by this town in the Baix Camp region in the development of his creative universe. The deep connection between the artist and Montroig goes back to his adolescence and the family farmhouse known as Mas Miró, where the artist spent almost every summer of his life. It was there where this genius of the twentieth century decided to devote himself to art, finding in the small treasures he collected from his walks through the fields and beaches, the fertile soil that definitely inspired his overflowing creativity, creating some of his most famous works such as the mythical “La masía”. The deep-rootedness that Miró felt for the landscape of Montroig is still latent in the village and, in fact, we have the possibility to visit the different places that Miró turned into art through the route “The emotional landscape of Miró” organized by the Mas Miró Foundation.
CADAQUES AND DALÍ
Set in a setting of incomparable beauty, this beautiful Mediterranean village was, for Dalí, “the most beautiful village in the world”. In fact, their names have been linked forever, being able to find, in every corner of Cadaqués, the unmistakable Dalinian imprint. Here Dalí found absolute freedom to develop his peculiar vision of the world, until it became the major center of artistic production of the genius of surrealism. From his house in Port Lligat, where he lived for 40 years, currently open to the public, Dalí created some of his most emblematic paintings, such as Girl at the Window, The Weaning of the Food Furniture or The Specter of Sex Appeal, being able to guess in them the topography that makes up the locality.
The charm of Cadaqués extends to a long list of artists such as Magritte, Federico García Lorca, Picasso, Joan Miró or Marcel Duchamp, who also succumbed to its magical landscape.
ANZAROTE AND CÉSAR MANRIQUE
“To me, it was the most beautiful place on earth. And I realized that, if they were able to see it through my eyes, then they would think the same way I did.” This statement by Cesar Manrique explains the artist’s deep involvement with his land. In fact, we could affirm that, on few occasions, there has been such a strong and visible link between an artist and his place of birth. It was here where he developed, in perfect harmony with the island, the most sublime union between art, the hand of man and nature, giving shape to such amazing places as the Jameos del Agua, the Monumento al Campesino or the Mirador del Río. His own home can be visited at the César Manrique Foundation.
