{"product_id":"saint-tropez-oil-on-canvas-by-maurice-empi-circa-1970s","title":"'Saint Tropez' by Maurice Empi (circa 1970s)","description":"\u003cp\u003e'Saint Tropez', oil on canvas, by Maurice Empi (circa 1970s). \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe best way to arrive in Saint-Tropez is probably by yacht—preferably your own. But for the vast majority of us, a walk around the \u003cem\u003eVieux Port\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewill have to do. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThis artwork is a vibrant, expressionist harbour scene by Maurice Empi, capturing the iconic waterfront in bold, gestural brushwork and a rich, sun-drenched palette of cobalt blues, ochres, and warm terracottas. Traditional fishing boats with red-and-white hulls crowd the foreground, their masts and rigging rendered confidently, while the quayside beyond bustles with strolling figures, a fluttering French tricolour, and the town's distinctive clock tower rising above a row of pastel-hued façades. A partially visible sign for the \"\u003cem\u003eCafé du Port\u003c\/em\u003e\" anchors the scene firmly in Saint-Tropez's storied port life, evoking the town's enduring appeal to artists drawn to its light and maritime charm. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOf course the name Saint-Tropez now evokes images of sunbathing celebrities, designer boutiques, and luxury yachts. It's hard to believe this glamorous town was once just a humble fishing village. The appeal of Saint-Tropez was first discovered in the late 19th century by the Impressionist painter Paul Signac, who later lured artists such as Matisse and Marquet here. Then in 1955, the film, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eEt Dieu Créa la Femme\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eAnd God Created Woman\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e), starring Brigitte Bardot, forever changed this small port town into a legendary seaside resort, sparkling amid the glitz of the \u003cem\u003eCôte d'Azur\u003c\/em\u003e (Ref: Lisa Alexander).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eEmpi's loose, energetic handling and saturated colour sense place the work within the Post-War French Expressionist tradition, echoing the legacy of the many \u003cem\u003eÉcole de Paris \u003c\/em\u003epainters who found inspiration along the Mediterranean coast. The painting is in good overall condition and has been newly framed with linen slip. Enjoy the many photos accompanying this listing. Upon request, a video will be provided.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eProvenance\u003c\/span\u003e: \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eCollection Ikono Art; formerly the Collection of the painter Marcestel Squarciafichi — \u003cem\u003eLes peintres témoins de leur temps\u003c\/em\u003e, École de Paris, artists who exhibited in Japan and internationally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eDimensions with Frame\u003c\/span\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eH 61 cm \/ 24\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eW 76 cm \/  29.9\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eDimensions without Frame\u003c\/span\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eH 50 cm \/ 19.7\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eW 65 cm \/ 25.6\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eAbout the Artist\u003c\/span\u003e:\u003cspan\u003e Maurice Empi was born in Saint Etienne in the Loire Valley in France in 1933. In 1949 he enrolled in the '\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eEcole Technique Supérieur de Art et Publicité\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e' in Montparnasse, Paris. His professor and friend, Marcel Basler, also an artist, convinced him to abandon his studies in advertising and graphic design to dedicate his life to art. He's never looked back. His first private exhibition was held in Paris in 1953 and his reputation quickly propelled his work overseas to Stockholm in 1955, London in 1959 and Nagoya and Tokyo in 1971. His works are decidedly collectible and increasing in value as he approaches his mid-nineties. Empi's works have been sold at major auction houses worldwide and held in many civic and private collections. His painting themes feature views of Paris and Venice, horse racing, sailing regattas, musicians and their orchestras and French cafés. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bureau of Interior Affairs (BIA London)","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56914091540860,"sku":"SKU 2643","price":2520.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1764\/8437\/files\/IMG_9404.jpg?v=1781525142","url":"https:\/\/bialondon.com\/products\/saint-tropez-oil-on-canvas-by-maurice-empi-circa-1970s","provider":"Bureau of Interior Affairs (BIA London)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}