Draguignan Exhibition Reclaims Esterel as Avant-Garde Inspiration
The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Draguignan will host an exhibition from May 22 to October 31, 2026, highlighting the Esterel massif as a key influence on modern art. This event follows the 2025 acquisition of Louis Valtat's painting "Les Rochers rouges," created during his residency in Esterel from 1897 to 1914. Featuring around fifty works, many of which are from private collections and displayed publicly for the first time, the exhibition includes contributions from artists such as Clémentine Ballot, Anna Boch, and Georges d'Espagnat. Curator Marine Roux notes the absence of a prominent art figure associated with Esterel.
Key facts
- Exhibition at Musée des Beaux-Arts de Draguignan from May 22 to October 31, 2026
- Rehabilitates Esterel massif as inspiration for modern art
- Triggered by 2025 acquisition of Louis Valtat's 'Les Rochers rouges'
- Valtat lived in Esterel from 1897 to 1914, visited by Matisse and Signac
- Around fifty works, many from private collections, shown for first time
- Artists include Clémentine Ballot, Anna Boch, Georges d'Espagnat, Armand Guillaumin, Ker-Xavier Roussel
- Curator Marine Roux cites lack of major art figure associated with Esterel
- Esterel formed 250 million years ago; railway opened 1863, Corniche d'Or road 1903
Entities
Artists
- Louis Valtat
- Clémentine Ballot
- Anna Boch
- Georges d'Espagnat
- Armand Guillaumin
- Ker-Xavier Roussel
- Jacques Majorelle
- Henri Matisse
- Paul Signac
- Henri Manguin
- Albert Marquet
- Charles Camoin
- Eugène Fromentin
- Guy de Maupassant
Institutions
- Musée des Beaux-Arts de Draguignan
- Compagnie des chemins de fer Paris-Lyon-Méditerranée
Locations
- Draguignan
- France
- Massif de l’Estérel
- Saint-Raphaël
- Mandelieu-la-Napoule
- Saint-Tropez
- L’Estaque
- Agay
- Le Roucas Rou
- Cap Dramont
- Cap Roux
- Anthéor
- Côte d’Azur
- Collioure
- Maroc