Walking up to the Galerie de la Prévoté tucked behind Aix’s Cathedral cloister takes one through the flower market which right now is full of the most beautiful peonies.
Les Pivoines – Jill Steenhuis
And these are the subject of one of Jill Steenhuis’s colourful oil paintings which are showing at the Galerie.
This family show is an annual event. Along with Jill’s work, visitors can see the metal work of her husband, and now the sculptures of 2 of her 3 sons. Husband Serge Ruffato creates lyrical forms from metal pipes while son Sergio has produced attractive installations from steel. New to the exhibition this year Alexandre Ruffato works with stone, cement, pigments and wood, making Romanesque-inspired sculptures. And they couldn’t be shown in a more appropriate setting than this 1000-year old space.
The garden with its pure white flowers against the dark green ivies and ever-greens
is a delight, a secret space in the centre of Aix.
American-born Jill has been profoundly influenced by French impressionism and above all the work of Cézanne. Do have a look at her website, not only to enjoy more of her work but also to watch her 5 minute videos which show her producing her oil paintings: https://www.artinprovence.com/
Most of the paintings show scenes from Aix and around. Even the recent rainy weather hasn’t daunted her – see ‘Pluie sur un champs de coquelicots’, ‘Pluie sur le marché aux fleurs’ and ‘Pluie sur la Baie de Cassis’!
Pluie sur un champs de coquelicots
This is a lovely exhibition in a delightful setting – not to be missed. Open daily until 21st June. 10-12, 14-19:00hrs.
Metal sculpture by Serge Ruffato
Jill looking out at medieval cloister
aixcentric 
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