The entrance to harbour Sauzon 1905

Maxime Maufra made this painting of the entrance to the harbour of Sauzon, in 1905, with what looks like watercolour or gouache on paper. The colour palette is kind of muted, beige and brown, with some gentle touches of blue and green. I love the way the artist uses the brush here. You can see the hand of the artist right there, as if the whole scene was drawn in one go. The marks are so free. It must have been so liberating for him! I can imagine him standing there, taking in the sea, the boats, the buildings… and then just letting his hand go. The way the artist renders the reflection of the boats on the water is wonderful. See how he uses these vertical strokes? It’s not photorealistic but, somehow, it captures the essence of what it feels like to look at light hitting the surface of the sea. Maufra knew what he was doing. We all owe so much to each other as painters. Like a beautiful conversation which lasts for centuries.