Abstract This paper examines the climatic, geographic, cultural, and social attraction of the French Riviera to artists. The paper traces the appeal of the Riviera to artists, beginning with prehistoric times and the rock engravings of that era and concluding in the early 20th century, with a look at the film, "And God Made Women".
From the Paper "It is not difficult to understand the physical allure, and doubtless that is part of what drew the artists, beginning in earnest with the Impressionists. The Impressionists, it must be noted, were the rebellious artists of their day, the avant-garde. They overthrew the classical expectations of realistic art to, as their collective appellation implies, paint their impressions of things. Most of them were devoted to painting in ?plein air,? or outside. That was, needless to say, more easily accomplished where the air was warm and full of sea breezes so that in winter it was at least possible to be outside in the sun, in spring and fall it was extremely pleasant, and even in midsummer it was not too oppressive."
