Le Port De Capri 1928

Konstantin Gorbatov painted "Le Port De Capri" in 1926, capturing a sunny day in the Italian harbor. Gorbatov, a Russian émigré, carried with him the weight of displacement, a common experience for many artists of his time. The image is awash in light, but think about that light as a cultural phenomenon. Light, especially in Southern Europe, has long been associated with leisure, privilege, and escape. It's a light unavailable to many, suggesting a world of carefree tourism that intersects with the labor and lives of the local population. Consider the figures along the harbor—they exist in contrast to the shimmering water and pristine boats. The painting invites us to consider who has access to this idyllic scene and who is part of its creation. Perhaps Gorbatov's personal experience of displacement allowed him to see and represent this intersection of belonging and exclusion. The painting then becomes a layered reflection on place, identity, and the human condition.