Tim Benton: Le Corbusier and the ‘desecration’ of E 1027

Drawing on his recent book The Painter Le Corbusier, architectural historian Tim Benton will speak about Le Corbusier’s career as an artist.

Thursday 12 Oct 2023 | 6:30 – 8:30 pm

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In 1929, Eileen Gray designed Villa E 1027 for herself and Jean Badovici, but only lived there for three years. Today, the elegant house in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin in southern France is an icon of modernism. In 1937, Le Corbusier discovered the “Maison en Bord de Mer”. Inspired by the genius of the place, he created a total of eight large-format wall paintings there, which have sparked a fierce controversy over their appropriateness in the villa.

External view of Villa E1027 with Le Corbusier mural

The renowned architectural historian Tim Benton, AA London, speaks about Le Corbusier's artwork at this special place, explores its controversies, and places it in his overall oeuvre. He also discusses Le Corbusier’s later murals in the adjoining café and the cabin that he designed for himself.