French Painters and the Move Towards the Sun
Juliet Heslewood gives the next talk for the The Arts Society SW London
Mont Sainte-Victoire With Large Pine, 1887 by Cezanne
August 10, 2026
The Arts Society SW London returns this September with an illuminating evening exploring how a generation of French painters followed the light—literally—towards the Mediterranean. Art historian Juliet Heslewood will lead the lecture, French Painters and the Move Towards the Sun, tracing how Impressionism’s liberation of colour and technique inspired artists to travel south in search of new landscapes, new palettes and new artistic freedoms.
Her talk follows the journeys of Monet, Van Gogh and Signac, each drawn to the radiance of southern France. Their experiments with colour and light paved the way for the Fauves—“the wild beasts”—whose bold, explosive canvases would spark yet another artistic movement along the coast. The lecture promises a vivid tour through artistic evolution, from shimmering Impressionist seascapes to the vibrant, untamed energy of early modernism.
The event takes placeon Monday 14 September at The Community Church, Werter Road, SW15, with doors opening at 7:30pm ahead of the 8pm start. Non-members are warmly welcomed, and the lecture can be attended in person or watched online, with entry by donation.
The Arts Society SW London is part of the wider national Arts Society network, a charitable organisation dedicated to enriching lives through the arts. The SW London branch has built a reputation for welcoming, high-quality cultural events that bring together people with a shared interest in art, history, music and design.
If you have never attended an Arts Society lecture before you are urged to join and find out about your local Arts Society.
Visit the society’s website for further details.
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