The Pink Tower, Marseille de Paul Signac

This luminous marine landscape translates the artist’s enchantment before the diaphanous light of the Atlantic coast harbors. A central figure of the divisionist movement, Paul Signac orchestrates a composition of great clarity based on the juxtaposition of extremely soft complementary tones. The work entitled “The Pink Tower, Marseille” stands as a poetic and scientific study on morning vapors and sparkling water. Through this peaceful view, the painter immortalizes the quiet harmony of French ports at dawn.

On the left side, a high medieval stone tower of pinkish hue dominates the port entrance, flanked by sliding white sails. In the center and on the right, numerous sailing ships with thin, upright masts animate the quiet basin. A small dark tugboat navigates on the right side, releasing a vertical black plume that contrasts with the surrounding clarity. The water and the sky merge in a luminous haze made of pink, blue, yellow and white touches. This diffuse light envelops the boats and the distant buildings in a very beautiful, vaporous and wonderful early day harbor atmosphere of the coast.

The artist proves an extraordinary skill in the use of oil painting to dissolve forms into clarity. His pointillist technique gives a subtle vibration to the whole, creating an impression of warm and luminous mist. This masterpiece testifies to a unique know-how dedicated to the splendor of marine atmospheres.