The Ile de la Douane - The Mouth of the Trieux River by Paul Sérusier

The influence of Japanese prints and decorative Synthetism is vividly displayed in this coastal landscape study. Entitled “The Ile de la Douane - The Mouth of the Trieux River”, this original work by Paul Sérusier transposes a maritime view into a highly stylized formal language. The painter simplifies the relief and waves to favor the graphic harmony of shapes. The coastal vision thus takes on the character of an ancient and mysterious Armorican legend.

In the foreground, a wide rocky outcrop in copper-orange extends horizontally, decorated with brown and white patterns suggesting shells or seafoam. Beyond this land strip, a vast expanse of calm deep blue-grey water separates the shore from the opposite land. In the background, a steep island topped with fortifications and a small stone building rises proudly. The hill summit is haloed with a multitude of tiny sparkling yellow dabs against a pale ochre backdrop. Silhouettes of rocks and constructions are outlined with dark strokes of remarkable precision.

Paul Sérusier demonstrates talent of great originality in the graphic and poetic transposition of marine and mineral elements. His constant mastery of outlines and sharp sense of decorative stylization confer exceptional plastic and aesthetic value upon this canvas.