L'œuvre en bref

This abstract work reflects Nicolas de Staël's enduring interest in the landscapes of southern France, particularly Marseille. He approaches the city without any specific descriptive references, favouring a construction based on coloured planes and masses. The urban view becomes an arrangement of simplified forms, where the legibility of the place relies more on the organisation of space than on architectural identification.

The composition is structured by a large red background occupying the upper part, overlooking a dense blue expanse. In the foreground, two angular shapes suggest roofs or built volumes, painted in white, black, purple and light blue. A light horizontal band marks the horizon line. The paint is thick, applied with a knife, with sharp edges and visible layers. The whole piece is based on stark contrasts between saturated colours and compact shapes.

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