In St Paul de Vence, up a steep hill lies the Fondation Maeght. A unique museum dedicated to art, founded by Marguerite and Aime Maeght to present modern and contemporary art in all its forms. Painters and sculptors collaborated closely in the building of the Foundation with Catalan architect Lluis Sert by integrating their works into the building and gardens: the Giacometti courtyard, the Miró labyrinth filled with sculptures and ceramics, mural mosaics by Chagall and Tal-Coat, a pool and stained glass window by Braque, a Bury fountain.
Designated as being of public interest, the Maeght Foundation is autonomous. It is not linked to the National Museum Administration and receives no funding from the State.
They currently have a ‘Miro and his Garden’ exhibition. Being a huge fan of Miro, this certainly was as good as the permanent exhibition at the Fondation Miro in Barcelona. What I love about Miro was his absolute creativity in all mediums. Besides painting, he was brilliant with ceramics, sculptors and even tapestries, and Fondation Maeght have all represented.
My favourite room had about 12 oil paintings (painted in the late 60’s -70’s), using his recognisable strong colours of black, red, blue, green and yellow. The way he used black lines both thin and thick to outline the subject is almost childlike. I think strategically the fondation hasn’t placed chairs in the middle of this room, as I’m certain people would sit for ages looking at the paintings in this particular room.
If you are a fan of Miro, then this Fondation is definitely worth visiting.
