The Henri Manguin and Félix Golési exhibitions, highlights of the summer

Until September 28, the villa Théo is presenting a very beautiful exhibition featuring the work of Henri Manguin. “A friend of Henri Matisse and Paul Signac, Henri Manguin is a major and essential Fauvism artist who enjoyed great renown during his lifetime,” recalled Nathalie Christien, deputy for culture, at the time of the inauguration.

MAGNIFICENT PAINTINGS

She added: “Described by Guillaume Apollinaire as ‘the voluptuous painter,’ he was a source of inspiration for his contemporaries who were able to discover the Midi sun and certain places in Le Lavandou: Cavalière, the pine forest, and the rocks of Layet. Magnificent Fauve canvases, including the famous bathers inspired by his wife Jeanne, bear witness to a rare talent and inventiveness in chromatic harmonies.” During the opening, Jean-Pierre Manguin, his grandson, brought the beautiful years of his ancestor back to life with talent and passion. Alongside him was Séverine Berger, curator of the musée de l’Annonciade in Saint-Tropez, whose partnership with Raphaël Dupouy, the municipality's cultural attaché, brought valuable assistance to this exhibition. Gil Bernardi, the mayor, welcomed the event: “It is a joy that Le Lavandou can gather so many works by major painters who marked the history of painting. We are very proud of this exceptional exhibition, which is remarkable.”

JET-SET AND CELEBRITIES

At the Espace culturel until September 10, the public can discover the works of Félix Golési – In the eye of a great reporter... “From Johnny to Sarkozy”. This selection of 80 shots by Félix Golési (1950-2022) reviews the stars, celebrities, and athletes who visited the Var over the last forty years. Discovering the photographs, a certain nostalgia for these beautiful years revives many memories for those who lived through these wonderful times. At the time of the inauguration, Yves, a sports columnist and colleague of the photographer, recalled that he formed a dynamic duo with Félix, bringing to life news events and jet-set gatherings. All in an alchemy that transcribed events, which, without overusing the phrase, reconciled the shock of the photo and the weight of words. Yves also recalled Félix Golési's avant-garde shooting techniques: “He was the first to place his camera at the back of the football goals to get the image of the goal scored, thanks to a remote trigger”! The professional was also appreciated for his respect towards the people he photographed and was among the few professionals to hold a presidential press pass. For Félix, this official card represented his Légion d’honneur. This exhibition was inaugurated in the presence of Gil Bernardi, Danielle Pedinielli, president of the Club de la Presse, Christiane Golési, the photographer's wife, and their children, Raphaël Dupouy and Camille Brochot Miss Lavandou 2024.