White Clouds, the Old Port of Marseille 1917

"White Clouds, the Old Port of Marseille" (1917) by Henri Matisse depicts a simplified scene of docked ships in the harbor of Marseille. The artist uses bold, gestural brushstrokes to capture the movement of clouds across the sky, while the ships themselves are rendered in dark, almost abstract forms. This work is characteristic of Matisse's Fauvist style, which emphasizes color and expression over naturalistic detail. The painting's vibrant colors, simple forms, and overall sense of movement contribute to a sense of dynamism and energy.