PROVENANCE From the artist's family Private Collection, Tauranga Acquired from Ferner Galleries

Evelyn Page's life was one of extraordinary zest and independence of spirit. Qualities clearly evident in a body of work created over seven decades. The work illustrated here is a fine example of the artist's talents and joie de vivre.

In 1966 Page was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council travel grant. She was planning her final journey to Europe and of particular interest was the Bonnard exhibition at Burlington House, London. She later traveled to Salzburg to attend Oskar Kokoschka's famous summer School of Seeing. Page found the experience challenging but rewarding and felt that she: learned to let the subject impress as simply as possible.

At the end of the course Page joined her husband Frederick in Aix-en-Provence to attend the Arts Festival there, and this painting was executed during their stay. Page's response to the colour and vitality of the summer scene is typically kinesthetic, capturing the carnival atmosphere of the crowded avenue in vibrant tonal harmonies and wonderfully exuberant brushstrokes.