In the 1870s, artists who’d been busy working in Paris and the cities of northern France started gravitating towards the little-known coastal towns along the Mediterranean coast. Dazzled by the clear light and abundant sunshine, this area inspired an entirely new art movement. Suddenly, colour became light and light became colour.

Sometimes painting from their apartments overlooking the sea, artists including Monet, Renoir, Matisse, Cezanne, Bonnard and Dufy were inspired to capture the views and contrast them with domestic interiors. Above, left to right: Henri Matisse, Seated Woman, Back turned to the Open Window 1922, Pierre Bonnard, Breakfast at Le Cannet 1930, Raoul Dufy, Open Window, Nice 1928

Above: Pierre Bonnard, Panoramic vista of Le Cannet, Henri Matisse, Study for “Luxe, Calme et volupté” 1904 What’s so striking about the paintings is the artists’ desire to capture what they felt about the view rather than producing literal impressions of the view.

And it was the Riviera which helped bring the ‘pointillist’ style to the fore. Great to see this painting by Paul Signac, Women at the Well from 1892. Complementary colours placed side by side heighten one another’s effect. And on the right is Francis Picabia Saint Tropez, View of the Citadel 1909.

Then, along comes Picasso. He was familiar with the bright Mediterranean light but, after years holed up in Paris during the occupation this was a great ‘release’ for him. And he captures the spirit and freedom of this seaside place as it became a hedonistic retreat for pleasure seekers.

The modernists present very different but dynamic impressions of the same views. From left to right: Picasso, Bay of Cannes 1958, Chaim Soutine, Landscape at Cagnes, 1923, and Marc Chagall, Table before the Village, 1968.

There’s a lovely display of posters advertising the joys of the Riviera and clips from films celebrating the beautiful views. Middle is a shot of Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief with Grace Kelly and Carey Grant and the back view of Jeanne Moreau on a hotel balcony in the film Baie des Anges.

Basically, I want to go to Riviera right now! The show is on at the Royal Academy of Art until 31 January 2027.