My Provence in a Different Light by Jean Paul Courchia

About this event

On Friday, Nov. 6, Charleston’s newest gallery, Modern Masters Fine Art, welcomes guests to its first artist spotlight, My Provence in a Different Light , by Jean Paul Courchia. Step inside and be swept away by a new vision of Provence, where Courchia’s masterful play of light and shadow transforms familiar landscapes into something extraordinary.

Immerse yourself in renowned artist Jean Paul Courchia's captivating vision and discover Provence as you have never seen it.

Jean Paul Courchia is a Franco-American painter whose luminous oil paintings, inspired by Provence's landscapes and light, have earned acclaim across Europe and the United States. Not only is Courchia a world-renowned artist, but he is also a medical doctor whose curiosity bridges art and science.

His unique perspective led him to explore how people truly see art, using eye-tracking technology to map the dance between viewer and canvas. His groundbreaking research, published in scientific journals and presented in keynote addresses in France and the U.S., reveals the subtle conversation that unfolds between artist and audience.

Courchia’s art has graced the walls of esteemed venues such as the Provençal Gallery Jouvène in Marseille, a city that once inspired Van Gogh and Cézanne, and the Municipal Archives of Marseille, where he was celebrated with a six-month exhibition in 2016.

His evocative works have been featured in publications such as Côté Sud and are treasured by distinguished collectors, from Queen Paola of Belgium to the consul general of Japan in Marseille and Aldon James, president of the National Arts Club in New York.

“Painting is my passion, and what I hope to share through my work is my way of looking at the world, the things that move me, sometimes in very simple ways: the greens of foliage, the white of the stones in Provence, or even the blue I see in the shadows,” Courchia said.

When asked whether light or shadow is more challenging to paint, Courchia explained that the hardest part is understanding that no shadow exists without light, and light doesn’t exist without shadow. Shadow reveals the light you can't see.

For him, the challenge is finding the right color for the shadow. A shadow is rarely simply black or brown. He looks to the great masters, especially Claude Monet, and is fascinated by how they give shadows a color that can feel both cool and warm at the same time.

“When I visit museums, I often take close-up photographs of details in their paintings to study the colors in the shadows. Is it brown, violet, lavender, ultramarine, or sometimes even black? Finding the right color for a shadow is one of the most difficult aspects of painting for me.”

At the heart of the exhibition is its signature piece, Shutters of Summer, Provence , a striking 48-by-36-inch oil painting on canvas unveiled for the first time at the show. The painting captures a bicycle resting before a sunlit French window, embraced by lush foliage and bathed in inviting, warm hues.

Modern Masters Fine Art , founded by art dealer Chase Barrett, is Charleston’s destination for discovering emerging talent and building meaningful connections between artists and collectors. Nestled at 30 Vendue Range in the city’s historic French Quarter, the gallery’s welcoming space features sunlit rooms, reclaimed heart pine floors and thoughtfully curated collections, inviting visitors to linger and experience art of various styles. Join us for the opening reception of My Provence in a Different Light on Friday, Nov. 6, from 5-8 p.m., where you can meet Jean Paul Courchia in person.

The exhibition will be on display throughout November. Collectors are invited to experience Courchia’s artistry up close or contact the gallery for details.

Modern Masters Fine Art in Charleston, South Carolina, is honored to represent Jean Paul Courchia.