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Then and now, through Renoir's eyes?

Then and now, through Renoir's eyes?

Tuesday 03 October 2023

Then and now, through Renoir's eyes?

Tuesday 03 October 2023


The photographer behind the popular 'then and now' comparisons of Guernsey scenes has tried to compare the island's east coast with the Auguste Renoir painting called the Baie de Salerne with a number of striking similarities between the two.

Marco Tersigni has had two books published featuring his comparisons of past scenes alongside the current locations.

He's known for going to great lengths to secure accurate comparisons, and he recently put that experience to good use with a trip to the Pepper Pot.

The former Guernsey Militia sentry post, above Fermain Bay, is used as a navigational marker for boats. It offers views along the south coast cliffs and around towards Castle Cornet.

It's the view of St Peter Port Harbour from that direction that is now thought to be the true inspiration for the Baie de Salerne painted by Auguste Renoir.

renoir

Pictured: Renoir's Baie de Salerne.

The famous piece is currently listed as having been painted in 1881 during Renoir’s trip to Salerno, however it is said to be hard to find an image which matches the scene captured in the painting.

Many people are now agreeing that the painting instead looks like the view from above Fermain towards St Peter Port.

The painting is one of the artworks featuring in the 'Renoir in Guernsey, 1883' exhibition currently underway in the island with formal efforts underway to collate the necessary evidence to make a formal case around the theory.

Among the art experts who are questioning the true location in the painting are the director of the Giverny Museum and Helen Glencross, Head of Heritage Services for Guernsey Museum.

“Research by a member of the Museum Curatorial team has led us to question the true subject of the painting and as a result we have contacted the owner, the Museum of Modern Art André Malraux in Le Havre who have lent us the piece," she said.

“While we of course cannot be entirely sure, the question this raises is undoubtedly exciting, and we’re very much looking forward to researching this further and working with the owners of the artwork to look at its location in more detail.”

Marco tersigni

Pictured: Marco Tersigni took this photograph from the Pepper Pot last weekend.

Renoir is known to have painted many other artworks based on Guernsey scenes including the bathers at Moulin Huet.

A number of them are currently on display locally with many visible similarities to the Baie de Salerne painting.

Having seen the reports questioning the true location of that paining, Mr Tersigni said he went for a walk to see if he could match the views up.

"I’ve been thinking for a while the original Renoir was taken around the Fermain area looking north," he said.

With a member of the Guernsey Days Gone By Facebook group suggested the view may be from the Pepper Pot, Mr Tersigni went there to try it out over the weekend. Screenshot_2023-10-02_at_17.08.22.png

Above: The Guernsey Days Gone By Facebook group saw a discussion over whether the Baie de Salerne is really Guernsey's east coast.

The 'Renoir in Guernsey, 1883' exhibition is open now at the Guernsey Museum at Candie.

Entrance is by ticket only, with the artwork on display until December. 

READ MORE...

"Not to be missed" Renoir tickets available now

Major Renoir exhibition opens in autumn

Guernsey to host world's only Renoir exhibition in 2023 

Stolen Renoir painting depicting Guernsey to be returned

Hundreds of schoolchildren learn from Renoir-inspired project

Bringing an original Renoir 'home'

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