From July 1 to 15, the Baroncelli museum will host a new exhibition by the Bouillarguais painter, Esteban Martorell.
Deeply attached to the Camargue and Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, this Gard painter continues his trajectory and will present a series of new works. In his latest paintings, Esteban calls for sacred union which he presents in several themes.
Union with Notre-Dame-de-la-Mer, a fortress church – again painted by the artist in storm or as a beacon in the middle of the night. Union with the Shrines where the relics of Marie Jacobé and Marie Salomé are located, a sacred chest, decorated with pretty bouquets of flowers when it is lowered from the upper chapel.
With great modesty, Esteban’s paintings recount moments of intimacy, particularly with Sara. Saint Sara, patron saint of gypsies for some, Sara the servant for others. Sara El Kali, Sara the Black… She becomes an unreal, inaccessible goddess. Esteban invites you to follow the procession to the sea.
The magic of the pilgrimage
On another register we will also distinguish portraits of Marie Madeleine the rebel, of Don Emmanuel an atypical priest, close to the people, whom we come across in a cassock on a random street in the village of Les Saintes!
“This is the third time that I have attended the pilgrimage, I have seen beautiful souls, beautiful things there. This gathering around the saints has an extraordinary side with moments of simplicity, truth and sincerity, moments that I try my hand at painting. It is at the same time, every year, in May that the magic happens and the event attracts thousands of individuals, gypsies from all over the world. For a week to the sound of vigils and. gypsy guitars inside the church we witness moving testimonies, trying fragments of life too. The souls are freed and the walls of the sanctuary, to those who can hear it, instruct and reveal the history of the “humanity. All this obviously gives meaning to my painting. I am here and tomorrow will be another day, but it is important to continue to share this work to capture life, that is what matters.” trusts Esteban Martorell.
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