Louis Jacques Vigon (1897–1985) Old Port Of La Ponche Saint-tropez Oil On Canvas 1950

Louis Jacques Vigon (1897–1985) – The Old Port of La Ponche, Saint-Tropez, Oil on Panel, Circa 1950

An iconic and luminous scene, where fishing boats moored at the Old Port of La Ponche come to life under golden light. This oil on panel, signed lower right by the artist, delicately captures the authentic and poetic atmosphere of 1950s Saint-Tropez, blending tradition with the timeless charm of Mediterranean life.

Dimensions:

Unframed: Height 7½ inches (19 cm) - Width 12¼ inches (31 cm)

Framed: Height 11⅞ inches (30 cm) - Width 16½ inches (42 cm)

Condition:

In fine original condition.

Biography:

Louis Jacques Vigon (1897–1985): A Painter of Mediterranean Light

Born in Nice in 1897, Louis Jacques Vigon grew up in an environment where art and culture held a central place. From an early age, he developed a passion for drawing and painting, a calling that naturally led him to study at the École des Beaux-Arts in Nice and later at the Académie de Marseille. It was in Marseille that he encountered Pierre Grivolas, a renowned local artist whose influence would leave a lasting mark on his artistic approach. Yet Vigon’s talents extended beyond painting: an accomplished musician, he played the cello in various local orchestras, a lifelong passion that occasionally surfaced in his canvases, where musical scenes and landscapes blend harmoniously.

His work, deeply rooted in the landscapes of Provence, Corsica, and the French Riviera, is distinguished by a warm, luminous palette, a loose, expressive brushwork, and a rare ability to capture the poetic essence of his surroundings. Whether depicting sun-drenched village streets, the bustling ports of Antibes, or the wild coves of Cassis, his paintings exude the Mediterranean’s joie de vivre. Among his most celebrated works are:

« Erbalunga – Corsica », an oil on canvas where a Corsican fishing village unfolds under generous light.

« Antibes – Provence », a view of the harbor where shimmering water reflections interplay with the vivid colors of boats.

« The Sea at Cassis », a watercolor where mist and light merge to evoke fleeting moments.

After World War II, Vigon settled in Gassin, a hilltop village in Provence that became his creative sanctuary. His years spent exploring the coasts—from the calanques to the beaches of Saint-Tropez, and the Corsican hills—fueled a rich and diverse body of work. His travels inspired paintings where everyday life—markets, fishermen, shaded terraces—becomes a celebration of simplicity and natural beauty.

A prolific yet unassuming artist, Vigon left behind a legacy defined by touching authenticity and a subtle mastery of light. He passed away in 1985 at the age of 88, bequeathing a body of work that continues to captivate art lovers for its lyrical quality and profound connection to the Mediterranean.

Today, his canvases, prized for their spontaneous freshness and sincere emotion, grace private collections and offer a tender, melancholic glimpse of a world in transition.