Thursday, August 16, 2012

A Reminder of Artists Who Came Before Us


Along the meandering Lot Valley between Figeac and Cahors is St Cirq Lapopie, a charming village.  St Cirq Lapopie is in a stunning position perched over the Lot River and is considered one of the most beautiful villages in France. The narrow cobbled streets contain a lovely mixture of medieval houses - some in half-timbered and some in stone - with small terraced gardens adding to the beauty of the place.

Old Garden Wall 

Below the village, next to the river, are an assortment of old mills and buildings testifying to the activity of the village in centuries gone by. We hiked to this village along a river trail. It was a beautiful trail along the river, but an arduous, steep trail up to the town!

Wild Grass Mooring

After the town was "discovered" by the Post-Impressionist Henri Martin, it became popular with other artists and the home of the writer Andre´ Breton (surrealism).  We saw many people along the streets sketching. Today St Cirq Lapopie is home to numerous artists and artisans, and here we bought a bracelet by a contemporary French jeweler. 

Later we toured prehistoric caves of Pech-Merle at Cabrerets.  I welcomed the cavern’s cool wetness and darkness after the day’s hot walk.  And the paintings were fascinating and sophisticated in line quality.  These ancient artists indicated perspective in very creative manners and allowed the viewer to understand that one animal was, indeed, located in front of or behind the other figure.

Drop in Cary Gallery of Artists 200 S. Academy St. in downtown Cary for these and other paintings. 919-462-2035

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