U3A Writing: Matisse In Landes
Artist Derek McQueen was on holiday in France when he heard that his favourite painter Matisse was in the area. Derek was in for a big surprise when he went searching for the great man in the nearby forrest.
" Excuse me monsieur - did I hear you say that Matisse is working in this area?"
We were in the Landes, `Syndicat Initiatif', asking about local markets, the nearest art galleries, that sort of thing. Matisse though I couldn't believe my ears.
"Matisse? I said for the third time.
"You'll find him in the pinewoods monsieur.
"Merci, merci beaucoup, thank you very much," I said. I threw in the thank you so he would know I was English.
"How exciting, I said to Anne. "That's amazing - he must be a very old man by now."
"Exactly what I thought, she said. "But find him in the pine woods? There's a gem. These pines run down the coast from Bordeaux to Biarritz - there's millions of `em."
"You wouldn't think of Matisse was a `wild beast' to look at him", I said. That's what Fauves means, you know. Wild beast in the Landes pine woods - I like that."
"Why would he be here anyway? Anne said. "I thought he was hidden away in Provence, out of the way of the Germans. You're right though, he has to be absolutely ancient."
I was now concentrated on the idea of finding him.
"What a coup, I said. "One of my very favourite painters working just where we are on holiday. What brilliant luck. If he's round here, I've just got to find him."
Anne was less enthused. "It's going to be like looking for a paintbrush in a forest, she said
"Very funny." I said.
"It could take us three days at least, I conceded. "Look! If we haven't found him after three days, I agree we should call it a day - how's that?"
Anne agreed, so imagine our delight and surprise when we had news that Matisse was nearby - and that on our first day of looking for him.
"I'll take my sketch book to show him, I said. "Maybe get a few pointers, if he's feeling generous."
"He's working near the dunes, the man on the tractor said. "He's very busy. Is it important? What do you want to see him for?"
"Landscapes, I said. " He has to be doing landscapes or maybe seascapes to be working near the dunes."
The man jumped down from his mud-caked machine.
"Landscapes - that's right. You'll hear a noise when you get nearer. Go down this next dirt road on the right - about 250 metres, that's all.
"Noise!" I said. "Why would he be making a noise?"
"Could be his advanced years." Anne proferred.
We heard the noise and saw the temporary sign at the same time.
DANGER TREE FELLING WITH CHAINSAWS
HENRI MATISSE - LANDSCAPES A SPECIALITY
