Painting
The fine arts make history and leave their mark! Throughout the region, painters have drawn inspiration from its vibrant energy. In Bordeaux, many native artists have contributed to the city's influence. One of the most important artistic figures to emerge from the Gironde capital is undoubtedly Pierre Lacour, an 18th-century painter who left behind a legacy of fine canvases depicting the city. One of his outstanding works is Vue d'une partie du port et des quais de Bordeaux dits des Chartrons et de Bacalan, dated 1804. It offers a fairly complete panorama of the banks of the Garonne at the time. Today, the painting is on display at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux, the museum he founded in 1801! This downtown venue boasts an impressive collection of paintings ranging from the XVᵉ to the XXᵉ century, as well as a collection of sculptures. It is here, in particular, that works by Bordeaux artists can be admired, such as Odile Redon, a Symbolist painter; Rosa Bonheur, a painter and sculptor specializing in animal representations; Albert Marquet, a Fauvist painter and friend of Matisse; André Lhote, a painter-engraver representing the Cubist movement; and William Laparra, with his Spanish influence.
In Bayonne, in the Basque Country, museums are also showcasing local artists. The Musée des Beaux-Arts is named after Léon Bonnat, one of Bayonne's most renowned local artists. Named the Musée Bonnat-Helleu, it has been undergoing renovation and restructuring for over ten years, and is due to reopen in 2025. Bonnat, a brilliant student at the Bayonne School of Drawing, quickly made a name for himself, notably with his portrait of Adolphe Thiers, which launched his career as a portraitist. At the same time, he became a teacher and member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts, influencing the work of several artists, including Impressionist painter Gustave Caillebotte and Cubist Georges Braque.
In the same town, the Musée Basque et de l'Histoire de Bayonne boasts an exceptional collection devoted to the Basque Country. Located in the heart of the old town center, the 3,000m2 museum displays 2,000 objects and works of art tracing the history of the city, a seaport and river port at the crossroads of Basque, Gascon and Jewish cultures. Temporary exhibitions highlight the many artists inspired by the region and its history, such as Pablo Tillac, a great lover of the Basque country, who immortalized this traditional rural and maritime region, protected from modernity, in the inter-war years. Other artists have of course been inspired by this land and its people, and in particular by the Gramont family, a great family linked to the history of Bayonne and which shone in Europe in many fields. In Biarritz, discover the Historical Museum housed in the former Anglican church, which showcases the artistic and cultural wealth of the seaside town. Finally, immerse yourself in oriental culture at the Asiatica Museum.
In Les Landes, the tradition is more sculptural, as we'll see later, but two painters are the pride of the department. The first is Gaston Larrieu, who was born in Eugénie-les-Bains and died in Saint-Paul-lès-Dax. Very attached to the region, he frequented other local artists, such as André Lhote and writer Pierre Benoit. He devoted most of his work to the landscapes of the Landes region, notably illustrating Maurice Genevoix's Amour des Landes ou les Landes et leur peintre . The second is Louis Anselme Longa. Born in Mont-de-Marsan, he is associated with the Orientalist movement. Religious painting played an important role in his career, and some of his works can be seen in places of worship, such as the Saint-Jacques church in Tartas. After a stay in Algeria, he settled permanently in the Landes capital, setting up his studio at 5, rue de Saint-Sever, now rue Gambetta.
Engraving and sculpture
Engravers and sculptors also contributed to the region's artistic influence. In the field of engraving, one of Bordeaux's leading exponents was Léon Drouyn, a member of the Barbizon School, a mid-19th century artistic movement. Drouyn is renowned for magnifying landscapes and nature. In fact, over a period of 40 years, he built up an exceptional iconographic collection on the heritage of Aquitaine and Gironde, with a body of work comprising several thousand drawings and engravings. His specialty? Romanesque landscapes and monuments in the Gironde department. He also worked as a draughtsman for the Historical Monuments Commission. An admirer of medieval architecture, he was one of its leading experts. His work includes etchings of the finest buildings in the region.
When it comes to sculpture, the Landes region stands out. The best-known sculptor is undoubtedly Charles Despiau. Born in Mont-de-Marsan at the end of the 19th century, he enjoyed great success between the wars. Trained at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, he became Rodin's collaborator and a friend of Maillol. In 1927, an exhibition was organized in New York: a consecration. Unfortunately, the masterpiece of his career remained unfinished. Today, the artist's sculptures can be seen in several American museums, notably in San Francisco and Chicago, but part of his work can of course be found in his hometown. The Musée Despiau-Wlérick, France's only museum devoted to figurative sculpture of the early 20th century, is the place where the artist is honored. Despiau's name is joined by that of another Montois sculptor: Robert Wlérick. The museum's setting is absolutely remarkable, at the confluence of two rivers, the Douze and the Midou, and offers a remarkable view of Mont-de-Marsan. In addition to Despiau's sculptures, the Mont-de-Marsan museum is also home to works by another local artist. Édouard Cazaux, born in the small village of Cauneille, is a sculptor and ceramist renowned for his Art Deco works. Inspired by the imaginary world of Creation, Cazaux produced ceramic decorations and earthenware figurines based on the myth of Adam and Eve. A jack-of-all-trades, this artist has also worked in stoneware, terracotta and bronze. His work can be admired in Biarritz, and without even knowing it! Indeed, the artist created several monuments, including the monument to the dead, recognizable by its pink sandstone stele. In the 1930s, the Art Deco trend developed in the city, and Cazaux made a name for himself. His work was exhibited in several French museums, including the Arts Décoratifs in Paris, as well as in Dax and Mont-de-Marsan. Still in the Landes region, Jean-Éloi Ducom and Vincent Batbedat join the long list of local sculptors. Ducom specializes in religious and administrative buildings in the Landes region, and has carried out numerous projects, such as the altar at Saint-Jean-Baptiste church in Benquet. The second is in a more contemporary tradition, working in both stone and stainless steel.
Street-art
More and more often, art is taking to the streets! As you stroll along the streets, keep your eyes peeled for frescoes, sometimes hidden, sometimes on display, all over the urban landscape. In Bordeaux, street art can be seen in every neighborhood. Enthusiasts won't hesitate to tread the ground at Espace Darwin, the former military barracks rehabilitated as a cultural space, all decked out in graffiti. In Saint-Nicolas, a large fresco by Bordeaux street artists Nerone and Epis adds color to the neighborhood. Like them, some of these artists have become inseparable from the capital of Bordeaux. Three artists are well known to the locals. The first, David Selor, spreads his colorful, poetic messages around every street corner. His works always feature the same cute, touching character, recognizable by his large wolf-like muzzle and the stripes on his T-shirt. Mimil is a great success, attracting many street-art hunters. Another Bordeaux celebrity is the multi-talented artist Jofo, known for his round little man who always looks astonished. Toto has been inviting visitors to the city's walls for over thirty years, encouraging them to question the world around them. And let's not forget Monsieur Poulet, who integrates his eponymous animal into the landscape. And always with humor and good humor!
In Dax, in the Landes region of France, the mood is also one of street art. Koralie & Supakitch have given the Institut du Thermalisme a makeover. This duo of artists has completely reinvented street art. Their work is absolutely remarkable, mixing giant herbariums and colorful geometric frescoes in the Art Deco style. Poetry emerges every time. This mesmerizing work goes far beyond the image of the graffiti artist and his spray can: the duo use collage, stencils, paint... It was as part of the Muralis festival that this work, among many others, became part of the urban landscape. On the walls of the tourist office, on the Place de la Fontaine Chaude, on the Cours du Maréchal Foch... Color invades the space. Also visible in Bordeaux, Alber's graffiti fascinate with their geometric aesthetics.
The Basque Country is not to be outdone! For several years now, the city of Bayonne has hosted the Points de vue festival. For five weeks, the city showcases contemporary artists, offering immersive and interactive urban experiences. Throughout the city, numerous frescoes can be seen, notably those by Christian Guémy, alias C215, a world-renowned stencil artist. It's also an opportunity to discover the works of local children. Nicolas Masterson, aka Taroe, was born in Bayonne and has been graffitiing since 1995. His colorful portraits can be seen near the Botanical Gardens. The best thing to do is to discover them for yourself!
