Grasse, France —As the sun of Indian summer continues to shine brightly in the south of France, an array of fine art exhibitions in the city of Grasse, known internationally for its fine perfume-making, is underway. The family-owned house of Fragonard Parfumeur, manufacturer of fine perfumes and beautifully crafted clothing and accessories, is offering up a spectacle of fine art and costume exhibitions in their museums in Grasse. Since its creation in 1926, the house of Fragonard has been associated with the great French painter born in Grasse in 1732 and the son of a perfume and glove maker. Every year the house pursues its cultural program in the summer with temporary exhibitions devoted to art, photography and local costumes. This year the rich program showcases women, in particular the Lemoine sisters and  their cousin Chaudet, remarkable woman  portait artists of the late 18th and early 19th centuries at the Jean-Honoré Fragonard museum. The sister theme is fitting, the house of Fragonard is owned by the Costa sisters. 

On the ground floor of the same museum another show is underway devoted to photography revolving around the theme of Saint Agatha of Sicily in a show entitled #SiamoAGATA* Les tétins de la Résistance (We are Agatha*The Breasts of Resistance. Often represented in classic paintings holding two breasts on a tray: she was tortured and had her breasts amputated for refusing to turn away from her vows, notably of chastity. She has been venerated since her death circa 251 B.C and still inspires artists today. She is also the patron saint of Sicily, breast cancer patients, rape victims, wet nurses and bell founders.

Meanwhile the summer’s offering from the house of Fragonard also involves a look into local folklore farm traditions and costumes at the Musée provençal du costume et du bijou (the Provençal Museum of Costumes and Jewelry) with a show entitled  Païsan.o Paysan.nes (respectively the Provençal and French words for crofters or farmers of small holdings). The show celebrates the harvests, the gathering of crops, nature and small holding farmers from the 18th to the beginning of the 20th centuries and exhibits rarely seen pieces. 

The exhibitions are running until October 8th, but meanwhile you can visit the Fragonard manufacture and perfume museums in Grasse throughout the year. Special to The Gourmet Gazette. https://usines-parfum.fragonard.com/en/.

Musée Fragonard, 2 rue Jean Ossola, 06130 Grasse. https://usines-parfum.fragonard.com/en/museums/the-jean-honore-fragonard-museum//

Musée provençal du costume et du bijou, 2 rue Jean Ossola, 06130 Grasse. https://usines-parfum.fragonard.com/en/museums/the-museum-of-provencal-costumes-and-jewellery/