Artwork
Landscape near Vence in Provence

Landscape near Vence in Provence is an oil painting by the Fauvist artist Raoul Dufy. It dates from 1920 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Raoul Dufy’s oil painting Landscape near Vence in Provence, executed in 1920, depicts a sun‑lit countryside scene in the south of France. The work is part of the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen. Its composition centers on a modest village framed by rolling hills and a prominent white structure, under a pale blue sky.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents a tranquil rural setting: verdant fields and scattered trees rise behind a cluster of houses with red tiled roofs, while a winding road leads the eye toward the settlement. The white building, positioned centrally, serves as a visual anchor, suggesting a communal or civic landmark within the landscape.
Technique & Style
Dufy employs short, decisive brushstrokes that give texture to both the hills and the sky, creating a sense of surface without relying on deep chiaroscuro. The palette is flat and vivid, with bright greens, reds, and whites rendered in uniform tones, reflecting the artist’s interest in decorative color rather than realistic modeling.
History & Provenance
Painted shortly after World War I, the work reflects Dufy’s post‑war shift toward lighter subjects and brighter hues. It entered the Statens Museum for Kunst’s holdings in the mid‑20th century, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s European modern art collection.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Raoul Dufy was a French painter associated with the Fauvist movement. He gained recognition for his vibrant and decorative style, which became popular in various forms, such as textile designs, and public building…


















