Page 34 - cn- studio canvas Finished works 24-03-2025_Handy

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Once the site of a Benedictine monastery in the 11 century. An earlier mention of a community of monks is found in a document of 1093.
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During the 12 to the 18 centuries the Abbey was extended. In 1791 the last monk left Fontfroide and it was transferred to the Hospices of
Narbonne and subsequently on to private ownership.
Between 1858 and 1901 a new Cistercian Community of the Immaculate Conception from the Abbey of Senanque settled in Fontfroide.
In 1908 the community abandoned the abbey site and Fontfroide reverted to private ownership again, being sold through auction and eventually
purchased by Gustave Fayet {1865-1925} in 1908.

Fayet made extensive renovations to the abbey which was in considerable decay. Gustave Fayet inherited a great fortune from his father, who
like Gustave, was an art collector and interested in the Impressionists and Post Impressionists works.

Gustave Fayet was a painter and also curator of the museum in his home town of Beziers.
Monfreid who was an associate with Fayet, but also of Gauguin, aided Fayet to acquire many of Gauguin’s paintings for his own collection;
works such as Deux Tahitiennes 1899 (now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art) and the Yellow Christ. In fact, Fayet was a major client and
supporter of Gauguin and lent pictures for exhibitions. Gauguin wrote to Fayet on many occasions. Gustave Fayet also owned Van Gogh’s work
and was a friend of Odilon Redon, who painted a series of murals for Fayet’s Library at Fontfroide.

This painting captures the brilliant southern light of France as it filters through the trees, forming a patchwork of flickering and moving
moments of intense light and cool shades. Typical of this region; the light intensifies the colours. The urns and statuary are a reminder of the
classical past.

Abbey Fontfroide,

Aude region, Sud France

Evening Light on the Terrace

Oil on Canvas 30 x 24 inches