Fauvism at Collioure

In the summer of 1905, Matisse and Derain discovered Collioure. They were dazzled by the colours and the natural light of the Catalan town.

André Derain : le phare de Collioure, 1905

Together, they will be at the origin of a new style : Fauvism.

This painting style follows the road of pure colours, separates the colour from reference to the actual object, and doesn’t consciously attempt to make use of any clever perspective.

Via the meanderings of their walks, Matisse and Derain coloured-in the profile of the village of Collioure, the church-tower, the château, the nets out to dry, the boats leaving, the women splicing… and the village’s windows.

Collioure became an obligatory passage for many artists, and Raoul Dufy in turn would paint with a deft touch the beauty of the port. During their stay, the two painters would meet local artists such as Bausil, Codet, Monfreid, Terrus, Maillol, Fayet, Fabre, who opened the doors of their small artistic community to them, influenced as it was by their spiritual master, Paul Gauguin.

It is possible to follow the traces of these painters, today, along "the Fauvism Trail" where an itinerary of 20 reproductions can be seen, each sited at the exact spot where the original was painted.

Tourist Office of Collioure
Tel : 33 (0)4 68 82 15 47