Henri Matisse in Collioure

Who doesn't love a painter who splashes such vivid color on the canvas? Although Matisse spent several summers in Collioure, the summer of 1905 was his most productive. That summer he invited his friend, Andre Derain, to join him. Both artists were inspired by Collioure's beauty. Both artists were part of a group of loosely-organized painters known as the "Fauves" or wild beasts. This school of art was short-lived existing between 1904-1907 giving way to the Cubists who followed them. The Fauves used pure primary colors to convey their view of the world and were considered the first to paint "Modern" art.

Here's a Derain painting of Collioure. I love the contrast between the sapphire blue sea and the ochre-colored roofs of the village. I'm excited to see these same scenes in person this September!