Port of Marseilles 1916

Albert Marquet painted this scene of the Port of Marseilles, most likely in oil paint. It's full of muted greens, greys, and browns. Imagine him standing there, trying to capture the stillness of the water against the backdrop of the bustling port. There's a real sense of quiet observation here, isn't there? The way he's applied the paint is so matter-of-fact, almost dry, with minimal layering, yet he evokes a sense of place. Look at that grey-green water, and the way he’s laid down those brushstrokes—horizontal and calm. You can almost feel the gentle rocking of the boats. I like the way the boats are clumped together as if they're having a chat. Marquet, along with Matisse, was a student of Gustave Moreau. He explored similar themes—light, color, and atmosphere—but did so with a quieter, more understated hand than the Fauves. Like other painters, he was fascinated by how light and color change our perception of the world.