Joan Gillespie

Although the subject is the sun‑drenched hillside village of Èze in the south of France, the painting is unmistakably rooted in Gillespie’s Scottish sensibility—defined by strong outlines, sculptural brushwork, and a confident orchestration of colour.

The composition, with its bright blue water, clustered rooftops, and stylised vegetation, is built from thick, energetic strokes that give the scene a rhythmic, almost mosaic‑like structure. Gillespie’s palette—rich in oranges, reds, greens, and cobalt blues—creates a vivid interplay of warmth and contrast, while her simplified forms and expressive textures align her with the modernist traditions that have shaped Scottish art over the past century.

Within the broader context of Scottish art, Èze, Provence stands out for its ability to merge a Mediterranean subject with a distinctly Scottish painterly language. The result is a landscape that feels both cosmopolitan and deeply personal, reflecting Gillespie’s ongoing exploration of colour, structure, and emotional resonance.

Exclusively available through Red Rag Gallery - specialists in contemporary Scottish art.