Adolphe Irenee Guillon
(Paris 1829-1896 Yonne)

Bay of Menton, Villa Maria Serena

The Louvre Museum has a drawing of this painting.
GUILLON Adolphe Irénée “View of a bay near Menton” RF 15798, Recto, Department of Graphic Arts
The work can be viewed by appointment in the Graphic Arts consultation room.

The Musée d'Orsay has the drawing of this painting.
Adolphe Guillon
View of a bay near Menton
Date undetermined
Plume
H. 20,2 ; L. 27,3 cm
Mode of acquisition unknown, 1931
Other inventory numbers
RF22841

Biography :
Adolphe-Irénée is a genre painter, landscaper and engraver, born in Paris.
Student of Jules Noel and Gleyre at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Won medals in 1867 and 1880.
He made his debut at the 1863 Salon. He exhibited in London between 1869 and 1879.

The work:
The painting entitled “Bay of Menton” depicts a scene of striking splendor.
In the foreground, a sumptuous dazzling white Villa stands majestically, its pinkish walls bringing a touch of softness to its imposing silhouette. Nestled on top of a hill, it overlooks the Bay of Menton on the Côte d'Azur.
Lush vegetation flourishes around the Villa Maria Serena, creating a green setting that highlights the purity of the building.
Majestic trees bow gracefully, while vibrantly hued bougainvillea embraces the balustrades and walls of the mansion.
On the horizon, the outlines of the mountains gently emerge, creating a striking contrast with the azure sky which fades into a palette of deep blues.
The shimmering sea stretches as far as the eye can see, reflecting the blue of the sky and thus completing the symphony of colors that inhabits this canvas. The artist has masterfully captured the harmonious fusion between architectural grandeur in the image of Charles Garnier, lush nature and the immensity of the marine horizon.

Villa Maria Serena in Menton, France, is a notable historic residence, designed by French architect Charles Garnier,
The same one who is famous for having designed the Opera Garnier in Paris.
Created in 1886 for the Foucher de Careil family, the Villa Maria Serena was acquired in 1922 by a British banker, Henry Konig, who bequeathed it to the City in 1947.

Museums:
Paris (Louvre | Orsay) – Auxerre – Bucharest -Vézelay -Clamecy – Dijon – Rouen- British Museum