The Lyon Group: Featuring painters Marc Dailly, François Dupuis, Samuel Erard, Martin Laquet, and Christophe Marion.
Lately, I have noticed that most of the contemporary painters showcased at the Les Montparnos gallery are from Lyon and its surrounding region. A simple coincidence? With each new exhibition, these names keep appearing. This significant phenomenon deserves closer examination here. A contemporary Lyon school of painting does exist. It is a unique characteristic not currently found in Paris, where talents are so disparate and artistic movements so fragmented. The first mention of a Lyon school dates back to the early 19th century. At that time, it brought together a small group of painters blending the Troubadour style with mysticism. After World War II, another group of Lyonnais emerged around Jacques Truphémus. These now well-known figures were part of a movement founded in 1948 called “Sanzisme” (without -ism). Their shared desire for a new vision, free from all classifications, united them. The group's dynamism bore fruit. Today, the Lyon school displays a distinct character. Each painter, in their individuality, testifies to a possible uniqueness. The themes addressed are familiar: urban or rural landscapes, studio views, interior scenes, still lifes, portraits… Within a palette balancing shadow and light, Lyon, the City of Lights, inspires painting. Place matters. There is no history or artwork without roots. Through color and texture, the canvases reveal moments of intimacy. Like a well-kept secret, the hazy light seems to emerge from the depths. It is a discreet and delicate art, as fragile as it is precious.
Source: paris.fr — photo: Tanguy Ferrand