Boats at Collioure 

Henri Martin's painting, Boats at Collioure, presents a view of a harbour rendered with a mosaic-like surface of brushstrokes. The composition invites us to engage with its visual structure, a dense accumulation of marks. Consider how the artist deploys colour and light to construct form. The entire scene, from the water and boats to the buildings and distant hills, is composed of small touches of colour, a technique reminiscent of pointillism, yet imbued with Martin’s unique sensibility. The materiality of paint is brought to the forefront, each dab a physical presence that collectively builds the image. The texture, therefore, becomes as significant as the objects represented. This emphasis on structure invites reflection. Martin’s approach not only captures a scene but also explores how we perceive and construct reality. The interplay between representation and abstraction challenges the viewer to actively participate in creating meaning. The painting’s power lies in its ability to destabilize our expectations, prompting a fresh look at familiar subjects.