[En images] Robert Combas sets the Pont du Gard ablaze with “War and Peace”

From May 29 to November 1, 2026, the Pont du Gard hosts “War and Peace,” a major exhibition dedicated to Robert Combas.

At the Pont du Gard an interesting dialogue opens between the immobility of Roman Antiquity and the overflowing energy of Free Figuration. Until November 1, 2026, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is hosting “War and Peace,” a major exhibition dedicated to Robert Combas. A first for the Gard monument, which brings together nearly sixty works by the painter from Sète in the museum space of the site.

Born in Lyon in 1957 and raised in Sète, Robert Combas established himself in the 1980s as one of the major figures of Free Figuration, alongside Hervé Di Rosa, François Boisrond and Rémi Blanchard. His universe, nourished by comics, rock, popular cinema and history, quickly conquered Europe, the United States and Japan.

A dialogue between ancient rigor and artistic passion

At the Pont du Gard, the exhibition finds a particular resonance. Greek and Roman Antiquity, battles, mythological heroes and even war scenes have always crossed the artist’s work. Here, only a few meters separate them from the two-thousand-year-old architecture of the Roman aqueduct. Between the rigor of the stone and the colorful enthusiasm of the canvases, the contrast works wonderfully.

© Adrien Valette

The tour impresses as much by the richness of the works presented as by the quality of its scenography. The rooms of the museum space are plunged into darkness. Only the works appear under the light. A particularly careful staging which accentuates the power of the colors and the density of Robert Combas’ compositions.

The exhibition also reveals a perhaps lesser known facet of the artist’s work with several works in black and white. A set which allows us to appreciate his line in a different way, far from the sole chromatic explosion with which his name is often associated.

© Adrien Valette

The highlight of this exhibition: a monumental canvas measuring almost nine meters dedicated to the Trojan War. A spectacular work which alone sums up all the excess and energy of Robert Combas.

An exhibition but not only…

The experience will continue throughout the summer under the open sky. From July 4 to August 30, every evening at 10:30 p.m., a monumental video mapping will be projected over the 275 meters of the aqueduct. Imagined by Christophe Berthonneau and Groupe F, the show will transform the Pont du Gard into a giant screen! The soundtrack, composed from the creations of the group Les Sans Pattes (of which the artist is a member!), promises to further add to the immersion.

Credits: © Adrien Valette