An exceptional exhibition-sale showcasing the works of painter Denise Margoni is taking place in Loguivy-de-la-Mer, Ploubazlanec in Côtes-d'Armor, running from October 18 through November 11. The event features over 150 paintings and gouaches by the artist, whose story is deeply connected to the Paimpol region and particularly to Beauport Abbey.
Denise Margoni was born in Paris in 1911 in the Montmartre district. After attending the École des Arts Appliqués (School of Applied Arts), she initially divided her time between working as a decorator and painting. Among her early professional achievements, she participated in decorating the Dutch East Indies pavilion at the 1931 International Colonial Exhibition, working under the direction of renowned cinema decorator Raymond Gabutti, who was known for films like "Les enfants du paradis" and "Razzia sur la chnouf."
Eventually, Margoni transitioned to painting full-time and began exhibiting her works starting in 1948. The Margoni family first arrived at Beauport in the summer of 1952. As her daughter, actress Elisabeth Margoni, recalls: "Mom couldn't stand either the cuisine from my father's native Trentino region or the Italian sun. So we came to Beauport." These enchanted interludes would continue until 1979, with the family making regular visits to the abbey.
During their stays at Beauport, Denise Margoni would create and annotate sketches that later became paintings when she returned to Saint-Cloud. Her name and talent gained increasing recognition over the years. She exhibited in Paris and Tokyo, and won first prizes at competitions in Montrouge and at the Salon des Femmes peintres (Women Painters' Salon) in Châlons-en-Champagne.
Margoni passed away in 1986 in Paris, leaving behind a significant artistic legacy. Today, a street in Paimpol bears the name of Denise Margoni in her honor. The current exhibition is organized by her daughter Elisabeth, who explained her vision: "I wanted the exhibition to tell a story through Denise's paths, her woods and her trees." The display also includes photographs that compare the landscapes of yesterday with those of today.
This is truly a family affair, with everyone contributing to make it happen. Elisabeth and her husband Yves Beneyton are joined by their son Aurélien, who serves as the exhibition's photography manager, and his partner Sandrine Jacopit, who is co-curator of the event. The Exhibition Denise Margoni runs daily from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM with free admission throughout its duration until November 11.
