Radu Focsa Ocher in Roussillon

Ocher in Roussillon

From Roussillon to Gignac, via Villars, Gargas and Rustrel, the open-air ocher deposits of the Apt valley, in the Vaucluse, have colors to make you dizzy. These natural pigments have been used since prehistoric times, they can be found on the walls of caves. More recently, this natural dye was used in industry, until 1929, when production from the Luberon quarries reached an impressive 40,000 tonnes. But the appearance of synthetic dyes sounded the death knell for these natural pigments. Today it remains to admire them on a walk, to immortalize them in photos, or in paintings. For my part, I chose to paint them. I never tire of looking at them, with their variations going through all shades of yellow, red and even sometimes going in green tones.