Rivers of France – Artistic Inspiration

Landscapes along the rivers of France inspired so many of the world’s great artists – and produced some of the world’s great art treasures. Think Giverny (Monet)… Paris (Picasso, Gaugin, Manet, Pissarro, Seurat, Toulouse-Lautrec and so many more)… Provence (van Gogh, Cezanne, Matisse, Chagall, to name a few). Their works are centerpieces of museums the world over – and the French landscapes that captured their imaginations so many years ago are yours to discover today. Meet some of the artists and the destinations – including a fabulous insideTauck presentation by artist Jill Steenhuis who provides insights into the world of Vincent van Gogh.

American-born French Impressionistic painter Jill Steenhuis, our travel partner, provided us with an exclusive presentation that shares insights into the life of artist Vincent van Gogh – and how his life and artistic journey have shaped her own. An Atlanta native, Jill has lived in Aix-en-Provence since 1980, painting in the landscapes of Provence. After graduating from Sweet Briar College with a BFA in studio art, she attended The Leo Marchutz School of Painting and Drawing in Aix. In the 1980s and 1990s, Jill was one of the rare artists to have a studio at the Château Noir, where Cézanne had his studio in the late 19th century. Jill has exhibited in solo shows in New York City, Greenwich, Atlanta, Chicago, Washington DC, Dallas, and San Francisco, among other major American cities, as well as in Aix-en-Provence and Paris.

Her work is part of the permanent collections of several museums and important private collections in America and in France. Jill appeared on “Good Morning America” and served as the Cézanne specialist for the Smithsonian Institute for the 100th anniversary of the painter’s death; she is the Cezanne and Van Gogh specialist for American museums who visit the south of France. Specializing in oil painting, lithography and watercolor, Jill captures the essence of Provence with her own personal poetry and vibrant energy – “In my painting, the catalyst is nature. Through the act of painting, my soul engages in a dialogue.”