View of Cagnes 1 by André Derain

This grandiose hilltop village landscape is at the heart of the artist’s research into geometric structure, testifying to his period of tribute to the geometric forms of nature. Harmoniously integrating the name of the artist Derain André, this work entitled “View of Cagnes 1” offers an orderly and almost sculptural vision of the countryside. The painter arranges the natural and built elements to compose an ensemble of perfect and timeless harmony. Each plane is carefully arranged.

In the foreground, numerous trees with round green tops rise, forming a plant barrier of an olive and emerald tone. Above this mass of greenery, a village with cubic houses climbs the slope of the hill. The buildings feature walls in shades of cream and light beige, crowned with tiled roofs of an orange-red or dull brown. A white tower or steeple stands out towards the center, while an imposing medieval fortress or church crowns the top of the hill in the background. The pale blue, slightly cloudy sky envelops this Provençal scene with a soft and serene light that accentuates the relief of the buildings. Simple volumes overlap in a rigorous geometric harmony.

The remarkable technique of oil painting is manifested in the simplification of volumes and the firm texture of the brush. By mastering the geometrization of forms, the artist demonstrates an exceptional craft skill that gives the landscape a structural strength and a timeless permanence.