A Marseille street named after a famous artist. That’s Rue René Seyssaud. This unassuming street holds a fascinating secret. It’s named after René Seyssaud a Provençal painter. He was a precursor to Fauvism.
René Seyssaud was born in Marseille in 1867. He spent his childhood in the Vaucluse region. His father was a lawyer. Young René showed an early talent for painting. He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Marseille then Avignon. His teacher was Pierre Grivolas.
Seyssaud’s paintings are bold and colourful. His style is described as a precursor to Fauvism. His work includes still lifes landscapes and scenes of peasant life. He found inspiration in the Provençal landscape. Specifically Villes-sur-Auzon and Saint-Chamas. These locations near the Étang de Berre heavily influenced his art.
In 1904 Seyssaud moved to Saint-Chamas. His studio overlooked the Étang de Berre. He lived there until his death in 1952. He often returned to the foot of Mont Ventoux. In the mid-1930s he even had a studio in Aurel. His cousins followed in his artistic footsteps. They became successful painters themselves.
Seyssaud’s work is in several museums. The Musée d’Orsay owns Les Oliviers. The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon has several of his pieces. His paintings showcase the beauty and harsh realities of rural Provençal life. He captured the toil and dignity of peasant work. His use of vivid colour and thick paint application is remarkable.
He received many accolades. He was made an Officer of the Legion of Honour. He won the Grand Prix d’Honneur des Provinces Françaises at the Menton Biennale in 1952. His legacy lives on through his art and the street that bears his name. So next time you stroll down Rue René Seyssaud remember the artist’s vibrant life. His bold brushstrokes and the rich history of his beloved Provence.