"Soleil Levant Sur Les Bords De La Durance À Mirabeau"
Paul Guigou (French, 1834–1871)
Date: 1865
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 59 x 26 in.
Paul Guigou’s luminous landscape captures the serene beauty of Provence, where he painted throughout his brief but impactful career. This work, created in the region of Pore de la Provence (Rocher de la Baume), opens a vast expanse of sky, water, and sunlit earth, emphasizing the interplay of light and texture that defines Guigou's unique approach to regional French landscapes. Exhibited at the 1865 Paris Salon—alongside works by Monet—this bold horizontal composition exemplifies Guigou’s mastery of color and form.
Guigou was a proud son of Provence, both in his artistic focus and his reputation. He studied painting in Apt before moving to Marseille to learn under Émile Loubon. Before Cézanne emerged as the definitive painter of the region, Guigou had already established himself as the 19th century’s preeminent artist of Provence. Tragically, his career was cut short when he died at the age of 37 from a stroke.
Despite being overshadowed by the burgeoning Impressionist movement, Guigou's talent found recognition posthumously. His works largely fell from public view until the 1900 Centennial Exposition of French Art, which marked his rediscovery and solidified his reputation as one of the ten greatest French landscape painters of the 19th century. Norton Simon became the first major collector to champion his work in the 20th century, reviving interest in this overlooked master.
