Large Luminous Oil Painting of Gordes, Provence, by Michel Jouenne (1933–2021) - 34¾" x 45¾"

This large, luminous oil on canvas by French painter Michel Jouenne (1933–2021) depicts Gordes, one of Provence's most celebrated hilltop villages, whose beauty has attracted visitors from around the world for generations. The pale stone houses are gathered along the ridge, their simplified, almost geometric forms giving the composition a slightly abstract quality. In the foreground, tall grasses and scattered red poppies introduce movement and color, while dark cypress trees contrast beautifully with the sunlit village. Jouenne's rich use of paint is particularly appealing, with small touches of pink, red, ochre and green creating an almost jewel-like effect. Areas of thicker paint add texture and depth, making the surface as interesting to explore up close as the landscape is from a distance. The painting shows a little fine craquelure in the pale sky and is presented in a simple, modern frame with dark and golden tones, which complements the composition without competing with it. 

A celebrated French painter, lithographer and sculptor, Michel Jouenne developed a highly expressive style, often working with palette knives, spatulas and even his fingers. Provence was a major source of inspiration throughout his career, and he maintained a studio in Eygalières for many years. Appointed an official Painter of the French Navy in 1991, he enjoyed an international career, and a museum dedicated to his work opened in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in 2002.

Particularly evocative for those who know and love Gordes, this painting would be a lovely reminder of time spent in Provence. It would work beautifully in a contemporary interior as well as a Provençal country home, bringing a little of the region’s warmth and sunlight indoors throughout the year.