Avignon.
While visiting Provence this spring, I was fascinated by the Santons D’Arts. These are handmade and hand painted terra-cotta figurines made throughout Provence depicting everyday village life. They were first made in Provence in the mid 1700’s and the art form continues to this day. Check them out:
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What struck me about the Santons was how similar they are to the folk art Retablos I posted about earlier this year from Argentina. Check out the link and note the similarities:
https://cindyknoke.com/2013/02/09/one-of-the-finest-folk-art-retablos-ive-seen/
Both the Retablos and the Santons D’Arts are folk art that originally depicted religious scenes, but both also evolved to depict scenes from everyday life. Check out one more example of each, one after the other.
Santons D’Art
Folk Art Retablos Argentina
Remarkable aren’t they? And Remarkably similar, although quite distant from each other geographically.
It is a small world. Our similarities greater than our differences,
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cindyknoke.com 
[ Smiles ] Absolutely beautiful!
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Aren’t they wonderful! I love them too~
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Thank you for sharing…..I really enjoyed this post!
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So very glad! That’s why I post after all! Thank you~
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The similarities are astonishing. Love them both. The cat next to the flower stall in the second photo is cute.
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Aren’t they wonderful! I just love the every day life scenes. It’s why I adore Bruegel and any art depicting it. Thank you my friend~
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Yes, yes. Did you happen to notice in my post Take One Box http://silkannthreades.wordpress.com/2013/06/26/take-one-box/ the wonderful painting by David Teniers the Younger. http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/david-teniers-the-younger/peasants-dancing-outside-an-inn It’s so detailed right down to the man vomiting against the fence!
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How on earth were we ever so lucky to meet? I am going to have to look this up and find the expectorator!! You are awesome~
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I think I have to say ‘ditto’
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🙂
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It is interesting that we find similar art forms across many cultures. I like how you alternate here, just like you did in an earlier post with architecture!
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You are paying attention. I am honored. Thank you~
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I try 🙂
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It shows~
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The little figures are wonderful, and it is amazing how connected we are in spite of distance and differences in culture around the world. Lovely photos – – as always.
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Aren’t they delightful! Thank you my friend~
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How beautiful 🙂 I read about Provence all the time. Nostradamus’s home town. Love the photos !!!
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So glad & so kind of you! Merci~
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Incredible post Cindy,a world of new images.Thank you for the visit.have a blessed day.jalal
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You too my friend. Merci beau coup!
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Lovely photographs.
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You are kindness itself Ranu. Thank you~
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Magnifique!
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Belle n’est-ce pas?
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“It is a small world. Our similarities greater than our differences,” – Well said! Thank you for sharing your wonderful captures of these charming figurines!
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Thank you for appreciating them~
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I love small figurines with little story around the figures. They are fascinating to see.
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Aren’t they? I love them too~
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The colors are vibrant and happy colors. Even the street ally way! That would excite me were I chance to visit 🙂
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Just what happened to me. I really had no idea what they were, but I was entranced. Thank you~
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Beautiful! Did you buy any? I wouldn’t have been able to resist 🙂
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No. If I bought all the things I like, I would be in deep trouble! 🙂 The photos suffice for me!
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Such self control!
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aaaaahhh…..except when I don’t have it! LOL!
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So beautiful, Cindy. Great photos. I love the cheerful colours. 🙂
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Yes, those beautiful colors of Provence. Thank you my friend~
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Wonderful colors!
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Yes, so much of Europe really knows how to use color to enhance the aesthetics of their lives. Certainly true in Provence. Thank you for noticing~
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Love your images–they remind me of my last visit to Provence where I had a figurine made for a research project. It’s a long story. That entire area of France always feels like home for many reasons. And I only had a teeny tiny bit of French DNA.
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I would love to hear the story. You have sparked my curioustiy. What figurine for what research project? Yes, the welcoming warmth of Provence and the French people is something very special.
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I love how they depict life of our ancestors before hitting the shore of North America and how many traditions have been kept alive within our families here and there! Beautiful post my friend 🙂
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Yes the lives of everyday people celebrated with such artistry and respect. Love it~
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🙂
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What a beautiful handmade figurines and really work of Arte, very splendid photos !
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So glad you enjoyed them! I did too! Thank you~
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Gorgeous pictures!
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Very kind Jon. Cheers to you~
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beautiful…the artistry is stunning in the figurines!
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Aren’t they wonderful! I was entranced by them. Still am~
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What great fun. You have such a beautiful way of bringing your art to share with us. Thank you.
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So happy to have met you Sheri and look forward to our future conversations! Thank you~
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It looks like you had a wonderful time on your trip! I thought Avignon was a marvelous place and the santons were so interesting… 🙂
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I wonder if were going to the same place at the same time next!!!!! 🙂
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This is lovely.
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Why thank you! This is just what I thought of your blog!
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Awww…. Thanks
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loev the color and detail in this pic Cindy…
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Well that makes me happy! Thank you~
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Aren’t I lucky to live in France?!… 🙂 I like them all… so colorful and joyful! 🙂
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Yes you are! The colors are so full of life, just like France! Lucky you~
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I LOVE miniature everything, and these scenes are so complete. The colors are brilliant, too, for hand-painted figurines. They look brand new! but they certainly can’t be.
The street is so cool, too. You sure capture some awesome sites, Cindy…:)
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I love minatures too! Often toyed with the idea of doing an intricate doll house, but now blogging takes up too much of my time. Thank you my friend. You are very kind AND clever~
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Art mirrors life – our celebrations, our work and our community. Love the colours.
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Yes and I love the depictions of everyday life and the colors too. Thank you Rebecca~
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🙂
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Indeed our similarities are greater than our differences. I love Avignon and Aix en Provence too!
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Provence is just magical! And the food……Don’t let me get started! Cheers to you Sheri~
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Ah..my deep love of Provence…some even speak another language there, at one time competing with French as the national language; Occitan, closer to Catalan than French. Nice figures.
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Yes I am familiar with this. Like Romansch in the borders between Switzerland and Italy. Provence is a wonderful place in so many different ways. Cheers to you & thank you~
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they’re beautifully bright!
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Merci! With the colors of Provence!
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Thankyou so much for the suggested link Cindy Dear!I so much enjoyed Avignon’s colours and culture!Amazing representation,when I click and double click each image,I am stunned!
It was during summer when you posted it and I was away again.Take care 🙂 xxx
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So pleased you enjoyed Doda and cheers to you my friend~ ❤
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