A nourishing mix of time spent catching up with cousins at the Kelly family home and promoting the environmental actions of his eponymous foundations in Monaco and the US characterised Prince Albert II’s recent trip to his mother’s native Philadelphia.
Last week, Monaco’s Prince Albert travelled from the Principality to the US state of Pennsylvania for a trip that focused on “family, the environment and diplomacy”.
In total, Prince Albert would spend three days exploring the hometown of his late mother, American actress Grace Kelly and later Princess Grace of Monaco, and reviving cherished relationships with his extended family.
The Kelly family home in Philadelphia. Photo credit: Palais Princier de Monaco / Michael Alesi
A particular highlight of the visit was a night spent at the family home of the Kellys, which was built by Princess Grace’s businessman and Olympic rower father, John B. Kelly. Here, Prince Albert enjoyed an evening his American cousins and their families, notably those of J.B. Kelly Jr., the president of the US branch of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2 USA), and Suzan Kelly Von Medicus.
Later in the tour, Prince Albert chaired a general meeting for the FPA2 USA and handed out prizes at the Planetary Health Awards Gala.
Towards the end of his trip, Monaco’s Ambassador to Washington DC, Maguy Maccario-Doyle, organised for all of the Principality’s consuls in North America to come together to meet with the Prince.
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Main photo: Prince Albert II pictured centre with his American extended family members inside the Kelly ancestral home. All photos credit: Palais Princier de Monaco / Michael Alesi
A remarkable single-owner survey collection of 32 works on paper, unique ceramics and sculpture by Pablo Picasso assembled over 25 years and spanning key moments in the artist’s career is being unveiled and offered for sale by London-based dealership Ward Moretti.
Marking the 50th anniversary of Picasso’s death, exhibitions in London, Paris, New York and Monaco represent a rare opportunity to acquire a diverse range of works from one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
Since the first Picasso work entered their collection in 1997, Dutch collector Pieter Dreesmann and his wife Olga have worked closely with James Roundell to build and shape the collection.
From early Blue, Rose and Cubist explorations to Neo-classicism, Surrealism and later periods of his career, the works in the collection date from 1899 to 1962 and cover the broad spectrum of Picasso’s artistic evolution.
“It has been a great pleasure collecting and living with these works over the past 25 years, as well as sharing them with the public through loans to exhibitions across Europe and the United States,” Pieter and Olga Dreesmann said. “Each of these objects holds special significance for us but we have decided now is the right time for others to have the opportunity to own and enjoy them as we begin a new chapter in our lives as collectors.”
An impressive exhibition to mark Ward Moretti’s first anniversary
The first presentation of The Pieter and Olga Dreesmann Collection of Works by Pablo Picasso was at Ward Moretti in London during Frieze Week in October. The collection then travels to the newly opened Moretti Fine Art Paris where it goes on show during Paris+ par Art Basel, then to New York and, finally, at the Moretti Fine Art Monaco from 7th to 22nd December.
As Emma Ward explained, “I first met Pieter Dreesmann in 1998 and from the very start his passion for each artwork he acquired was clear. It was a great pleasure to then meet Olga and see that she shared the same distinct vision for the sustained quality and shape of the collection. Having witnessed how Pieter and Olga have nurtured this high calibre, scholarly collection with James Roundell’s insight over the last 25 years, it is a privilege to be entrusted with the sale of these rare and important Picassos at what is a significant moment for Ward Moretti Ltd. as we celebrate our first anniversary.”
Dreesmann’s preference for drawings rather than paintings
Highlights include the 1915 watercolour still life Guitare sur une table, the 1929 pen-and-ink drawing of a bather on a beach Baigneuse au ballon, and the bold image of a woman crying, Femme hurlant sa douleur, which was made at the time of the Spanish Civil War and has similarities with the heads of the weeping women in Picasso’s masterpiece Guernica.
Drawings of the Japanese actress Sada Yacco and the Wagnerian opera singer Suzanne Bloch feature in the collection alongside many of the women who shared Picasso’s life, including the artist’s model Fernande Olivier and the photographer Dora Maar.
There are also three images of the artist’s mistress Marie-Thérèse Walter, all dating from the 1930s, including the watercolour Sur la terrasse that was executed in Picasso’s room at the Hôtel Majestic in Cannes in 1933 and features the typical red tiled roofs of Provence in the background.
A full list of works and pricing information is available on request from Ward Moretti, a joint venture between Emma Ward, formerly Managing Director of Dickinson, and renowned Old Master Paintings and Sculpture dealer Fabrizio Moretti.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this Picasso collection will be given to couples’ chosen charities in support children with genetic disorders and special needs.
The Buddha Bar was the location for the 8th annual Butterfly Ball Monaco, where philanthropists gathered to support this year’s fundraiser ‘We Are All Different, Be You’, celebrating diversity and change.
Caudwell Children is a national children’s charity based in the UK, founded in 2000 by John Caudwell and led by CEO Trudi Beswick. In 2019, Caudwell International Children’s Centre was opened serving the UK’s first independent purpose-built facility for the assessment, intervention and research of autism. The aim of Caudwell Children is to make the world a better place for autistic and disabled people – a place where children can be themselves and grow up without fear of prejudice, discrimination or stigma.
Opera-inspired event in Monaco
The décor for the Butterfly Ball on 21st September was inspired by the Garnier Opera House in Paris. The event was organised by Emeritus Chairman John Caudwell and his partner Modesta Vžesniauskaitė – a former professional cyclist and olympian.
John Caudwell at the 8th Butterfly Ball Monaco
Hosted by Indre Kavaliauskaite, guests were treated to show stopping performances from the iconic Sophie Ellis-Bextor with her ‘Me and Mrs Jones’ DJ set, spellbinding entertainment from magician Rokas, the amazing vocal talents of Alexandra, and a Live Auction with Charlie Ross. The auction featured a one-of-a-kind art piece from artist David Yarrow, a Bianchet watch that was created especially for the Butterfly Ball, an Ultimate VIP BAFTA Film Awards Weekend luxury trip, a four-night charter on Persistence Yacht, and many more. The Butterfly Ball coincided with Cycle with the Champions, and together they raised a total of €554,838 for the charity.
Who is John Caudwell?
John Caudwell is one of Britain’s most influential entrepreneurs and philanthropists. His vision for a sustainable and efficient children’s charity has inspired thousands of supporters across the UK and he remains the charity’s largest single benefactor and most passionate supporter, personally paying the charity’s annual administration and management overheads.
It means that 100% of donations can go directly to the children and their families so they are able to lead an active and independent life while reaching their full potential with the services, equipment, therapies and treatments they need.
The Palace Archives, the Prince Pierre Foundation and the Monaco Audiovisual Institute are offering several events at the Théâtre des Variétés to celebrate the 150Th anniversary of Colette’s birth.
Born on 28th January 1873, Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, known as Colette, was a French author and woman of letters. She was also a mime, actress and journalist.
She stayed regularly on the Côte d’Azur throughout her life. Over a number of decades, she also forged a special bond with Monaco. In 1908, she performed at the Palais des Beaux-Arts, Place du Casino, in La Chair. In 1925, she wrote the libretto for Ravel’s L’Enfant et les Sortilèges, premiered at the Salle Garnier, and met her third husband, Maurice Goudeket, in Cap-d’Ail.
After the war, she returned to the South where she was welcomed in Grasse by the Polignac family. It was the beginning of her friendship with Prince Pierre. Thereafter, she stayed at the Hôtel de Paris every winter.
Appointed honorary president of the Literary Council of the Principality upon its creation in 1951, Colette made her last visit to Monaco in April 1954 for the presentation of the Literary Prize to Jules Roy at the Prince’s Palace.
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, the following events have been planned:
Monday 6-7 November at 7pm – Colette : écrivain par hazard – Conférence d’Antoine Compagnon
Tuesday 7 November at 8pm – Chéri, film by Stephen Frears (2009), starring Michelle Pfieffer.
6 to 25 November – L’ami des princes – photographic rendering
After removing more than 275 tonnes of plastic and waste from the Pacific Ocean since 2021, The Ocean Cleanup is now launching a system that can clear waste from an area the size of a football field every five seconds.
The Ocean Cleanup, the organisation that is taking on the mammoth task of eliminating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, has become world famous for its innovative systems and pioneering approach to mass plastic and waste removal at sea.
After considerable success over the last few years, The Ocean Cleanup is now launching the third generation of its technology: an improved method that is able to remove “much larger quantities of plastic” at lowers costs.
According to the organisation, this latest technique will be 10 times more effective than the previous systems and is paving the way for the creation of a full fleet that will work around the clock to clean up the Pacific Ocean’s plastic problem.
The Ocean Cleanup’s System 03 in operation. Photo source: The Ocean Cleanup, Facebook
What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a floating vortex of trash hovering in the north of the Pacific, between California and Japan, with Hawaii in the middle. It spans 1.6 million square kilometres, roughly three times the size of France. It is made up of two main hubs: one in the east and the other in the west. The two are linked together by the North Pacific Subtropical Convergence Zone, which is located a few hundred kilometres north of Hawaii.
Warm waters meet cooler waters in this zone, and together they form a sort of motorway that moves waste from one patch to another.
The new System 03
The Ocean Cleanup’s new technology will reportedly make it possible to eventually clean the entire area with just 10 “teams”, as well as the world’s other three garbage patches in the Indian, North Atlantic and South Atlantic oceans in the future.
The system is simple. It is comprised of a 2.2-kilometre-long floating barrier towed slowly between two vessels. The barrier reaches a depth of four metres below the surface, which is the zone where the majority of waste is to be found. It is then hauled aboard a main vessel where it is sorted for recyclability.
A barrier is towed between two vessels and the waste is sorted aboard another for recyclability. Photo source: The Ocean Cleanup
The organisation has even teamed up with automaker Kia, who has agreed to use plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the manufacturing of its electric vehicles. The Ocean Cleanup organisation has previously transformed collected waste into a line of sunglasses, which quickly sold out, as a way to using up the plastic it has hauled aboard its vessels.
The Ocean Cleanup has also addressed concerns about the impact its system could have on marine life by incorporating a marine animal safety hatch into System 03. Using underwater cameras, crew members can monitor the site and create an escape route for any animal that finds itself within the clean-up area.
This cost-effective and farther-reaching method has given Dutch CEO Boyan Slat reason to say that he believes that the plastic and debris in 90% of these zones could be gone by 2040.
“By making System 03 so much bigger than our previous efforts, alongside the multiple upgrades we’ve implemented, we can cover a much larger area of ocean in less time and using fewer resources,” reads a communiqué from The Ocean Cleanup. “This brings down our cost per kilogram of plastic removed and maximizes our benefit on the marine environment.”
The Ocean Cleanup has released a fascinating video of the actual work System 03 is doing, comparing the realtime with computer generated images from the design phase. The functioning is almost exactly as was anticipated, and seeing the two videos side by side gives more than a glimmer of hope that this problem is one that truly can be managed.
See the video for yourself:
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After starting in pole position at the Mexico City Grand Prix, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc found himself sandwiched between the two Red Bulls and was lucky to escape with only light damage. The Monegasque went on to place third, earning his 28th career podium.
It was a chaotic start at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Scuderia Ferrari’s duo, Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc and Spaniard Carlos Sainz, began in a dominant position – P1 and P2 – but immediately felt the pressure of Red Bull’s Mav Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
Carlos Sainz behind his teammate Charles Leclerc at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Photo credit: Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre
All four cars battled down the long straight, but Sainz was the first to fall back, leaving his teammate Leclerc up front and between the two rival cars.
As the Ferrari and Red Bulls took the first corner, Leclerc and Perez made contact, resulting in extensive damage for the Mexican driver and an unexpected early retirement from the race.
Leclerc’s SF-23 sustained damage to the left front wing end plate, which eventually fell off. Despite the loss of downforce, he managed to hold on and achieve third place behind Verstappen and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.
Sainz also experienced a tough race, but would eventually take a respectable fourth position.
“A tricky one”
“It was a tricky one,” said Leclerc post-race. “I was caught between the two Red Bulls at the start and unfortunately Checo (Perez) and I touched, which led to me picking up some damage on the car and to Checo retiring… Later on, we struggled a bit on the hards after the restart. Lewis (Hamilton) was really strong on the mediums and had very little degradation, getting ahead of us. It’s not where we wanted to finish, but we maximised our result.”
It was a hard-won 28th podium for Monaco’s F1 driver, 26-year-old Charles Leclerc. Photo credit: Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre
Team Principal for Scuderia Ferrari, Frédéric Vasseur, admitted that it wasn’t the result he had been hoping for after a start on the front row for both his drivers.
“Given how the race was run, I think we almost did the best we could with our car today,” he said. “We knew the start would be tricky because of the long run to the first corner, in which the slipstream can have a big effect and for sure our start today was not ideal. We need to keep working to reduce the performance difference between our qualifying and race pace, given that, especially on the hards, we struggled too much compared to our rivals who were able to manage the tyres better than us.”
The race started P1 and P2 for Scuderia Ferrari’s two drivers, but ended P3 and P4. Photo credit: Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre
Looking ahead
The grid will now be preparing to depart Mexico, which hosted the 20th race on the 23-Round calendar, and head to Brazil for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix at the Interlagos circuit this coming weekend.
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The Promenade du Paillon is officially 10 years old, and as this remarkable oasis in the heart of Nice celebrates a decade of revitalising the cityscape, it is also gearing up for another era of expansion.
In the not-so-distant past, the bed of the Paillon River was where the washerwomen of Nice gathered. Gradually, however, the waterway was slowly covered up by a growing city, starting in 1867. Roads, squares, such as Place Masséna in 1881, and even entire neighbourhoods were erected over the ancient fleuve until it was fully concealed right down to the sea.
A decade ago, the now vibrant park space was an unremarkable site, serving as a bus station and a car park, amongst other concrete edifices. Then, on 26th October 2013, the big transformation began, led by Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi’s visionary project: the Coulée Verte.
The Promenade du Paillon traces the riverbed of the ancient waterway that flowed through Nice for centuries. Photo credit: Ville de Nice
Today, the former riverbed is revived, albeit in greenery rather than flowing water, and has developed a reputation as the “lungs” of the city.
With 7,000 different species, the park stands as a testament to biodiversity. Visitors and passersby can explore Mediterranean species like olive trees, vines and fig trees, as well as flora from far-flung destinations, from Oceania to South America, thanks to Nice’s mild climate.
“A real asset for our city, it values its natural heritage and offers a botanical journey across the continents,” says Estrosi.
One of its most well-known, and best-loved, features is the exceptional water mirror space, which measures more than 100 metres in length and is 30 metres wide. It is an engineering masterpiece, and its 132 water jets create a mesmerising spectacle that is particularly adored by the thousands of children who play in its cooling waters every summer.
The water mirror measures an impressive 106 metres by 30 metres. Photo credit: Ville de Nice
The next age of transformation
Beginning earlier this year with the demolition of the Acropolis exhibition centre, the next stage of the transformation of the Promenade du Paillon will add a further eight hectares of green space to its current 20 hectares.
Among the changes to come is a complete overhaul of the Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain and the area surrounding the culture and arts centre. Additionally, in the space where the 70,000 tonnes of concrete that was the Acropolis congress centre once stood will be a tranquil reading garden complete with atmospheric ponds and pools.
In the Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny sector, a series of cisterns with a capacity equal to two Olympic swimming pools will be built to store rainwater. These cisterns will play a crucial role in making the Promenade du Paillon self-sufficient in water.
The city of Nice has pledged to plant more than 1,500 trees in the newest parts of the Promenade du Paillon, which will help remove 1,700 tonnes of CO2 annually.
In all, it will cost €75 million and is expected to reach completion at the end of 2025.
Embracing the future
As the Promenade du Paillon enters its next decade, it remains a cherished haven for the people of Nice, symbolising the city’s commitment to sustainable, nature-friendly urban development as well as a place for friends and families to come together.
The 20 hectares of public space have become a haven for families. Photo credit: Ville de Nice
“For its 10th birthday, I wish the same success for ‘Season Two’ of the Promenade du Paillon, which is one of the busiest places in our city,” says Estrosi.
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Towns and cities along France’s Mediterranean coastline will be taking part in a major tsunami alert operation this Friday, with the goal of informing the public what they should do and expect to happen in the event of an actual threat.
20 years ago, an underwater earthquake off the Algerian coast caused high waves and flooding throughout the Mediterranean, including on the Côte d’Azur and in Liguria.
In fact, there have been around 300 recorded tsunamis in the Mediterranean region since 1600BCE. Some of them have been devastating and have had serious repercussions on the lives of people living close to the water.
In line with World Tsunami Risk Awareness Day, which will officially take place on Sunday 5th November, nine departments along France’s Mediterranean coast have decided to organise a major tsunami warning operation on Friday 3rd November.
What to expect
The Alpes-Maritimes and Var will join the Bouches-du-Rhône, Gard, Hérault, Aude, Pyrénées-Orientales, Haute-Corse and Corse-du-Sud for the exercise between 10am and 10.30am.
The operation is essentially a test of the preexisting tsunami warning and information system as well as an opportunity to increase public awareness.
The public isn’t required to do anything in particular, although feedback on the system may be requested via an online form.
People are also being asked to refrain from calling the police, emergency services, prefectures or town halls if and when they receive an SMS message linked to the tsunami alert system, as well as avoid posting or sharing “alarming” tsunami-related content on social media.
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Almost 80 million people visited France in 2022, making it the most popular international tourism destination in the world and bringing in a staggering €58 billion in revenue.
From the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre of Paris to the lavender fields and rosé vineyards of the glamourous Côte d’Azur, France has a lot to offer to its many millions of tourists, who continue to flock to L’Hexagone in huge numbers year-on-year.
Somewhere between 75 to 79 million tourists visited France last year; a figure higher than the number of people currently residing in France. Spain came a close second in the European rankings for popularity, with 71 million tourists, while the UK fell far behind its closest neighbour, with little over 30 million visitors.
For the French economy, this is great news, for when these visitors choose to come to France, they spend too.
A record €57.9 billion in tourism revenues were recorded by the Banque de France in 2022, up 2.1% on 2019, the last record-busting year, despite receiving 15 million fewer people.
The main reason being given for the huge numbers are the return of both the British and the North Americans, who, like the rest of the world, were recovering from the after-effects of lockdowns and travel restrictions, and were back in droves in 2022.
94 million tourists by 2025
France’s popularity is unlikely to wane, with GlobalData, a respected London-based analytics and consulting firm, predicting a 12% jump in international arrivals from 2022 to 2025 that could equal a mind-blowing 94 million people each year.
And France seems ready to welcome them. In a recent International Tourist Satisfaction Survey organised by the government, the country scored highly for its warm welcome, accommodation options, cultural and leisure facilities, and, of course, gastronomy.
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After a successful trial phase, France is now offering the simplimmat.gouv app to everyone wanting to register a used vehicle in their name or document a transfer of ownership.
After a vehicle is resold in France, the person must declare the transfer of the vehicle no later than 15 days after having physically transferred it. This is designed to protect the seller from traffic fines that may occur with the new buyer.
Meanwhile, if someone buys a used vehicle, they must have a registration document issued in their name within the month following the declaration of transfer.
On the new Simplimmat mobile application, the administrative transfer of the vehicle and the request for a new registration document can be completed in around 10 minutes, and even carried out at the same time as the vehicle keys are handed over.
The buyer will then receive the registration document at their home three to four days later.
What are the advantages?
The Simplimmat application prevents the situation where the seller fails to declare the transfer of the vehicle on the National Agency for Secure Titles (ANTS) website, thereby blocking the buyer when they go to register the vehicle in their name.
The fact that the seller and the buyer carry out the procedures at the same time, and in the physical presence of each other, also helps to avoid errors in entering information relating to the sale which are likely to lead to administrative blockages.
The Simplimmat app also verifies compliance, so when the papers of the vehicle are not in order, Simplimmat blocks the transfer of the vehicle. The buyer therefore has a guarantee that the vehicle is not stolen, for example.
After trial phases in the Centre Val de Loire, Normandy, Yveline Brittany and Ile-de-France regions, the app is now accessible to all individuals residing in France, who sell or buy a vehicle registered in the country.
It was an evening that resurrected the grand balls of decades past held for Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace. On 20th October, Prince Albert and Princess Stephanie headed the prestigious guest list for the Bal du Centenaire at the Casino de Monte-Carlo, an exceptional evening that also attracted Princess Stephanie’s children Louis Ducruet, his wife Marie, and Camille Gottlieb.
Monaco’s Roca team continues to dominate the Betclic Elite Championship, securing their ninth consecutive league victory in a clash against Gravelines-Dunkerque. Two days after their impressive triumph over Maccabi Tel Aviv (107-79) in the Euroleague, the Monegasque team faced a resilient Gravelines side but ultimately emerged victorious with a final score of 91-76.
The encounter was a face-off between extremes: the unbeaten Monaco and Gravelines-Dunkerque, struggling at the bottom of the league alongside Boulogne-Levallois. Monaco’s dominance in the league persisted, reaffirming their status as the leaders of the Championship.
Jordan Loyd’s triumphant return
While Monaco’s key players Donatas Motiejunas and Mike James were absent (with Kemba Walker not registered in the Betclic Elite), their team saw a significant addition in the form of Jordan Loyd. Loyd made a triumphant return following back surgery over the summer, contributing 15 points, two rebounds, and two steals in his first appearance.
Gravelines-Dunkerque’s resilience
The scoreline, however, fails to capture the full intensity of the match, as Gravelines-Dunkerque held their ground for over a half, leading 41-38 at the 20th-minute mark. The team took advantage of Monaco’s defensive vulnerabilities, with standout performances from Vafessa Fofana (19 points, four rebounds) and Tajuan Agee (17 points, six rebounds).
Monaco’s triple threat
Yet, the tide turned in favour of Monaco after the break, largely thanks to their impressive three-point shooting, connecting on 11 out of 23 attempts. Players like Yakuba Ouattara, Petr Cornelie, and Elie Okobo ignited several long-distance shots, putting Monaco to a 15-point lead (62-48) by the 26th minute and extending it to 17 points with a decisive shot from Alpha Diallo (74-57) in the 32nd minute. Diallo was a standout performer for Monaco, contributing 16 points and two steals.
As the reigning champions of France, Monaco remains undefeated and will now set their sights on a challenging matchup against Milan in the Euroleague on Thursday. Following that, they will return to defend their national dominance against Nancy on Saturday. Meanwhile, Gravelines-Dunkerque seeks to secure their first victory as they host Le Mans on the same day.
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Did you know that Monaco has been a muse for many a creative soul? Among the artists, poets, writers and dancers who flocked to the Principality over the years was Francis Bacon, who was the subject of a recent fascinating lecture at the Princess Grace Irish Library on the Rock.
Monaco’s Princess Grace Irish Library, a treasure trove of over 12,500 rare books, including a first edition of James Joyce’s Ulysses and an extensive collection of Irish music sheets that was named in honour of the late Princess Grace, who had Irish origins, serves as the perfect backdrop for exploring the art and heritage connections between Ireland and Monaco.
In late October, renowned Irish art historian, curator and writer Dr. Margarita Cappock, pictured above, organised a lecture at the establishment where she shed new light on Francis Bacon’s roots, his time in Ireland and Monaco, and the profound influence the Irish landscape had on his artistic journey.
In an exclusive interview with Monaco Life, Dr. Cappock, who was recently appointed as The Ireland Funds Academic-in-Residence at the library, delves into the captivating relationship between Bacon and Monaco.
Monaco: a retreat and muse for Francis Bacon
“He first came here in the 1940s, and there were several things that appealed to Francis Bacon about Monaco,” says Dr. Cappock.
His chronic asthma found respite in Monaco’s more inviting climate, and the allure of Monaco’s tempting entertainment and leisure sites was appealing to Bacon, particularly as he had an early fascination with gambling.
“He loved the Casino in Monaco,” notes Dr. Cappock. “He stayed in various hotels around Monaco [and] he also loved to visit its bars, such as Rosie’s, which is no longer in existence.”
Most importantly, however, beyond appreciating its social scene and the fabulous way of life in the Principality during that era, it was here that Bacon’s artistic journey took a new direction.
Francis Bacon: The Outsider
Dr. Cappock recently collaborated with US bassist Adam Clayton, an enduring fan of Bacon, to produce the documentary, Francis Bacon: The Outsider.
The duo uncovered new information about Bacon’s early artistic endeavours and his connection to Monaco, including that he started his journey into painting whilst in the Principality.
“I think Bacon is just a unique figure in terms of the history of art,” Dr. Cappock shares with Monaco Life. “Once he arrived on the art scene, when Three Studies for figures at the Base of a Crucifixion was exhibited in 1945, no one had seen art like that before.”
This was a piece created in Monaco and is, interestingly, the artwork that inspired another Bacon fan, Majid Bustani, to found the Francis Bacon MB Art Foundation in the Principality.
Bustani’s foundation boasts an extensive collection of Bacon’s early paintings, furniture and a remarkable assortment of photographs, which together offer a unique insight into the artist’s evolution and creative process. The collection has also played a pivotal role in Dr. Cappock’s research.
The Princess Grace Irish Library can be found at 9 Rue Princesse Marie de Lorrain in Monaco-Ville, just a stone’s throw from the Palais Princier. Photo by Monaco Life
Other sources of information came from the people who had met and were friends with the artist, who lived from 1909 to 1992.
One of these lucky individuals was at the lecture at the Princess Grace Irish Library and shared their personal experience with Monaco Life.
“He was a very nice person, I met him when he used to come to Monaco, and I worked at the Balmoral hotel,” said Sile Jackson, Administrator of The Ireland Funds of Monaco.
Although he ultimately moved elsewhere, Bacon would continue to visit the Principality throughout his life. His last visit came in 1990, just two years before his passing.
To learn more about Bacon’s connections to Monaco and to read about the documentary co-produced by Dr. Cappock and U2’s Clayton, click here.
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An exceptional top floor apartment at the end of the Cours Saleya that was once owned by artist Henri Matisse is going to auction in early November, with a reserve price close to €2 million.
Originally built in the 17th century, and redeveloped and enlarged successively in the 18th and 19th centuries, the building that houses the apartment is a piece of true Niçois heritage, standing proud at the end of the Cours Saleya.
Even into the 21st century, it continues to grow with the city; its Baroque façade was recently renovated and the common areas of the sea-facing block are currently being treated to updates.
The flat itself encompasses half of the top floor of the building and gives impressive views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Promenade des Anglais from a wraparound balcony on the south and out to the Cours Saleya to the west.
Famed painter Henri Matisse called this place home – amongst other things – from 1927 to 1938. The great artist, who had fallen in love with the region, used the apartment as a workshop, living quarters and a place to showcase his works, many of which were produced on site. It is the second property with ties to Matisse to reach the real estate market in that last six months.
There is 157m2 of living space, which includes with two bedrooms, as well as amenities such as a lift and a cellar or storage space. It is due for a bit of a refresh, according to the Notarial Office of JN Champagne and L Rose, the company managing the auction of the property, but it nevertheless a gem of a place that is steeped in history.
Bids starting at €1,785,000
From 1pm on 8th November, bids starting at €1,785,000 will be accepted via the online Immo-Interactif portal for 24 hours. Bids will increase by increments of €20,000 until the sale concludes on 9th November at 1pm.
All bidders wishing to participate must have visited the property, signed an approval request and accepted the specific conditions provided during the visit, as well as submitted an application file that includes basic personal information such as a copy of an identity document and how the property will be financed.
There were 33 fatalities and over 3,000 callouts along France’s Mediterranean coast this summer. The numbers are down on 2022’s disastrous season, but “still too high” according to regional search and rescue service CROSS MED.
Between 1st May and 30th September 2023, the Mediterranean branch of France’s Centres Régionaux Opérationnels de Surveillance et de Sauvetage, known as CROSS MED, was called out to 3,026 incidents at sea.
From jet ski and boating accidents to dangerous diving incidents and drownings, some 223 people were seriously injured and a further 33 ultimately lost their lives.
The figures are down compared to 2022, a summer season in which CROSS MED recorded 3,258 callouts, 5% more deaths and 15% more serious injuries, but are “still too high” according to the regional search and rescue service.
“The worrying increase in accidents recorded [since 2019] seems to have stopped,” says Maritime Prefect for the Mediterranean and Vice-Admiral Gilles Boidevezi. “We nevertheless remain at a very high plateau.”
An increase in diving accidents
Boidevezi points to a lack of caution and awareness as causes for the elevated statistics over the last few years, noting a “somewhat worrying increase” in diving accidents in particular, which were higher in 2023 than in 2022
There were 149 diving-related accidents – 122 of them with tanks – and a large proportion of them involved inexperienced or otherwise unprepared divers.
“We are seeing people over the age of 50, who are not particularly sporty, embarking on complex dives at 30 metres depth,” Boidevezi adds, while calling on diving clubs to be more vigilant when organising excursions.
New fads, such as rentals of underwater propulsion devices like Seabobs, have also contributed to the higher-than-usual accident rates recorded in recent summers as users go out on the open water without a life jacket.
“Better sharing of space”, more respect for regulations and increased awareness of personal safety measures are required, the Maritime Prefect argues, in order to reduce accident and mortality rates further.
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