Painting in the North
The North has always been a land of inspiration for painters. The bewitching beauty of the landscapes, the scenes of pastoral and peasant life, the intriguing attraction of the sea: the list of themes treated since the 15th century is infinite. Among all the great names present (such as Nicolas Régnier, Jean-Antoine Watteau, Jean-Baptiste Descamps or Francis Tattegrain to name but a few), one in particular stands out: Henri Matisse! Born in Cateau-Cambrésis, he was a painter, draughtsman, engraver and even a sculptor. A major figure in 20th century art, his work, his pictorial choices and his approach to painting have influenced entire generations of artists who see him as a precursor, if not a master! Leader of fauvism, friend of Picasso, his fame is worldwide and the value of his works is constantly rising!
To discover his works in more depth, you just have to go to the eponymous museum in Cateau-Cambrésis (which is closed for renovation until 2024, but with a program outside the walls): it is the only museum created by the artist, by himself and during his lifetime, on his native land. It contains one of the largest collections of the painter's works in the world, with no less than 26 paintings, 21 sculptures, 479 drawings and 220 prints! A must-see, which also allows you to discover the Herbin and Teriade collections, respectively art theorist and publisher of fine books, who have made significant donations to the Matisse Museum. And for the record, if you have access to the school of Cateau-Cambrésis, try to see the games room: there is a stained glass window in gouache, signed by Matisse, of course!
The richness of the museum's collections
What better way to see the variety of fine art in the North than to visit the various museums and admire the works on display with your own eyes? From ancient classical paintings to contemporary art masterpieces, there are plenty of places to go for a real cultural treat.
For example, if you have a particular attraction to modern art, you'll want to visit the FRAC (Fonds Régional d'Art Contemporain) in Dunkirk, which houses more than 1,800 works of art and design from 1960 to the present. Among the 716 artists present - including Matali Crasset, Julien Creuzet, Luciano Fabro, Kapwani Kiwanga, Tania Mouraud, Gehrard Richter - there are also 512 drawings by Dunkirk artist Christine Deknuydt.
Another obligatory stopover, on a more exclusively contemporary artistic theme, but keeping the same balance between local and international, is not far from Lille, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, at LaM, the museum of contemporary, modern and raw art (and one of the most important museums in Northern Europe)! Here again, the list of artists present is impressive: Braque, Léger, Miro, Picasso, Modigliani rub shoulders with Buren, Boltanski, Filliou, Messager and Soulages. The proximity of the Parc du Héron makes it an ideal way to combine nature and culture in one day, especially if you pass by the sculpture garden!
To get a complete idea of what fine arts are in the North, you need to go further than a museum and an exhibition place: the department has much more to offer! The Palais des Beaux-Arts in Lille, the exceptional setting of La Piscine in Roubaix (where you must go at least once in your life), the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Valenciennes (currently closed), the Musée de Flandre in Cassel (and its great approach for children, super fun) or the Musée de la Chartreuse in Douai are all waiting for you and your visit.
Street art in the North
For a few years now, it has had the wind in its sails, appearing both everywhere and nowhere, being previously in the shadows and the offence, now (often) official and in the spotlight: it's street-art, of course! Who has never walked the streets of a city known for it, stalking the frescoes, the drawings, the map in the hand and the phone in the other, to post in the second THE find just unearthed?
New medium of artistic expression, new lever of tourist attraction, new way to embellish and give a second youth to entire districts, street-art is just unavoidable and the North has perfectly known how to seize it to never let it go.
So where can you go for an unusual cultural outing, guaranteed to be 100% different, surprising and offbeat? Roubaix in general and the Manufacture in particular: an excellent starting point! The city offers several "turnkey" itineraries that you just have to follow according to your desire (and your available time). Look everywhere, the city is full of details! Not so far away, Lille and Tourcoing also offer beautiful things, to discover via guided tours or with the maps provided by the tourist offices. If you're more of a festival person, keep an eye on the activity of the Collectif Renart or the abundant program of the Condition Publique as well as the URBX Festival in Roubaix.
Generally speaking, it is possible to find street art almost everywhere, from Hazebrouck to Cassel, from the Avesnois to Dunkirk. Just keep in mind that these works are, by essence, ephemeral and doomed to disappear. It is this programmed death in the short term that gives them all this power and this need to be seen, admired, observed!
