L'œuvre en bref

Raoul Dufy, famous for his vibrant and colourful depictions of life by the water, captured the essence of Martigues, a picturesque town in the south of France, in his work ‘Bateaux à Martigues’. At a time when exploring the Mediterranean landscape was popular with artists, Martigues offered an ideal setting, with its serene canals and sunny atmosphere. Dufy, a member of the Fauvist movement, favoured bright colours and flowing lines to bring out the joie de vivre of these maritime scenes. His works often reflect the lightness and brilliance of these holiday resorts, which captivate art lovers and lovers of the outdoors.

Bateaux à Martigues’ illustrates a dynamic composition in which the boats float with bold colours - deep blues, golden yellows and bright reds - that intermingle. The use of black outlines accentuates the simple shapes of the boats and surrounding buildings, creating a striking contrast. The luminous sky and shimmering water are rendered in expressive brushstrokes, capturing the light and spirit of the South of France. This work reflects Dufy's joyful and vivacious approach, where art becomes a visual celebration of the everyday beauty of coastal landscapes.

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