Celebrating Women in Art & Network Provence
A small Network Provence group had big fun in Carpentras on March 12th. Other than its iconic proximity to and view of Mont Ventoux and its legendary Sunday brocante market, we all agreed we knew little more about this charming town.
The first pleasant surprise was our ‘bien reussi’ lunch at Chez Serge (large, tasty portions). After that, we squeezed in coffee and desserts, feeling like kids at the literal candy shop Clavel Confiserie.
Watching me trying to get to my ice cream before it melts, Network Provence, passionate -about- art-ladies, participated in a little presentation/discussion about the destinies of women artists in general, and specifically, women Impressionists and two distinguished female painters represented in the Carpentras Museum L’Inguimbertine. We talked about the underrepresentation of female artists in museums (only 1% in the National Gallery in London) and how their careers depended heavily on family support or the lack of it.
Finally, the crescendo of our gathering was the actual visit to the L’Imguimbertine museum. Nothing can prepare you for this stunning (in size, proportions, and overall beauty) building and its enormous collection. It took us almost two hours to browse the History of Carpentras exhibit corridors, the beautiful endless shelved armoires with tens of thousands of hand-copied books from centuries ago and finally, the beaux-art wing with an overwhelming number of paintings and sculptures done mainly by artists born or known in this region.
We didn’t even have time to see two chapels, the ancient pharmacy, the mediatheque, and the outside areas. Ultimately, we agreed to repeat this type of ‘museum visit’ – NP meetings in the future and to give our warm recommendations for a worthwhile visit to Carpentras.
Written By Mimi Barbulovic for Network Provence
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