For art and wine enthusiasts, the Domaine de Rocheville in Parnay is showcasing a winter watercolor exhibition by Saumur-based artist Roseline Boivent. Discover a variety of works: landscapes, trees, faces, and animals in soft hues of ochre, blue, and pink.
A watercolor exhibition in the heart of the Loire Valley
For the first time, the Domaine de Rocheville, a vineyard near Saumur, celebrates art in the Loire Valley by hosting a watercolor exhibition.
What is watercolor?
Watercolor is a painting technique that uses pigments mixed with water to create transparent, light-filled artworks, typically on paper or canvas. The term refers both to the paint and the finished artwork.
Watercolor painting is loved for its luminosity, fluidity, and delicate effects. It dates back to antiquity and was extensively used in illuminated manuscripts.
Mastering watercolor requires both skill and spontaneity, making it accessible yet technically challenging.
Famous watercolor artists
Plusieurs artistes célèbres ont porté l’aquarelle à des sommets. Dès la Renaissance, le peintre et graveur allemand Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) se distingue par ses aquarelles naturalistes, notamment son célèbre Lièvre, remarquable de précision.
La technique de l’aquarelle gagne en popularité en Europe à partir du XVIIIᵉ siècle. William Turner (1775-1851), l’un des plus grands peintres britanniques, a révolutionné son utilisation par ses paysages lumineux et ses marines.
Au XXe siècle, John Singer Sargent (1856-1925), peintre américain, a sublimé l’aquarelle à travers des scènes de voyage et des portraits intimistes, démontrant sa maîtrise des jeux d’ombre et de lumière.
Roseline Boivent: a watercolor artist from Saumur
Who is Roseline Boivent ?
Hailing from southern Vienne, Roseline Boivent has been passionate about drawing since childhood.
She studied at the Beaux-Arts in Poitiers, learning oil painting, ceramics, and life drawing before teaching art and crafts in middle and high schools for ten years.
Later, she paused her artistic practice to assist her husband with administrative tasks in their garage business in Lusignan.
Upon retirement, Roseline returned to drawing, exploring watercolor—a technique not covered during her studies.
She studied with established watercolorists like Marie-Line Montécot from Feneu, near Angers, and attended various workshops led by professionals such as Reine-Marie Pinchon, Viktoria Prischedko, and Jean-Claude Papeix, which helped her develop her unique style.
For 12 years, she has been part of the Clipart association, organizing collective exhibitions and fostering artistic exchanges among local Saumur artists in a convivial atmosphere.
Why Roseline Boivent chose watercolor
Roseline paints according to her inspiration, using classic, high-quality materials in her studio. She often works from photographs but incorporates elements of imagination into her paintings.
Her subjects are diverse: pastel-colored landscapes, expressive close-up portraits, wild animals, flowers, or delicate nudes sketched with care.
She loves watercolor for its transparency, the interaction between pigments and water, and the softness of its colors, which play a crucial role in her work.
“You never truly control watercolor; there’s always an element of unpredictability. Each piece is a new challenge.” – Roseline Boivent
This unpredictability imbues her artwork with a personal touch, making each creation unique.
Exhibition “Water and Colors”: an artistic getaway near Saumur
The “Water and Colors” exhibition features around 30 watercolors on various themes.
It opens with the aptly named “With Moderation”, depicting grape clusters and a glass of red wine (perhaps Saumur Champigny?) in the foreground, with a misty château tower in the background—a nod to the Domaine de Rocheville’s winemaking tradition.
Other paintings celebrate nature with landscapes featuring autumn trees, blossoming cherry trees, rivers in changing hues, and skies with gradient blues.
The “Wild Africa” series, with its feline portraits, transports viewers to sunny savannas, while a collection of nudes (in black and white or shades of ochre, blue, and pink) highlights the female form’s anatomy and morphology.
Roseline also excels in portraits, as seen in “Little Princess” and “Elsa”, capturing the expressions and emotions of her subjects with precision.
Loire Valley : where art meets wine at Domaine de Rocheville
Combining winemaking tradition and ecological commitment, the Domaine de Rocheville, which hosts the “Water and Colors” exhibition, is nestled in the Saumur-Champigny vineyards.
This eco-friendly 17-hectare estate highlights local terroir through organic wine production while preserving biodiversity in its vineyards.
Visitors can enjoy wine tastings in an enchanting setting: a panoramic terrace overlooking the vineyards and the Parnay valley during sunny days or an elegant tasting room during cooler weather.
The tasting room, often transformed into an art gallery, regularly features exhibitions of local, French, and international artists.
Immerse yourself in Roseline Boivent’s universe and take the opportunity to sample the Domaine de Rocheville’s exquisite wines!
Practical information about the “Water and Colors” exhibition
Exhibition times and dates
Dates : Novembre 29, 2024 to February 7, 2025
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Where to see the watercolor exhibition?
Domaine de Rocheville, Chemin de Béniquet, Les Hauts de Valbrun, 49730 Parnay (accessible via the Saumur Wine Route).
The village of Parnay is located just 7 km from Saumur.
Free admission
Roseline Boivent’s artwork sales
All exhibited artworks are available for purchase (full catalog on-site).
Additional services at Domaine de Rocheville
- Wine Tasting: Organic Loire wines, handcrafted at the Domaine. Reservation recommended but not required.
- Shop: Purchase wines year-round in the tasting room, by phone, or online.
- Guided Tours: Explore the winery, vineyards, or cellars (reservation required).