The Suburb of Collioure by André Derain

During his summer stay in the South of France, Derain André creates magnificent seascapes such as “The Suburb of Collioure” which show his final break with impressionism. This masterpiece illustrates the painter’s search for pure painting, seeking to capture Mediterranean light through flat areas of bright, arbitrary colors. The port scene is thus transformed into a true colorful symphony where nature and human activity merge harmoniously.

A row of long vertical orange and brown masts lines up along a wharf, creating a powerful graphic rhythm that cuts the canvas. On the very light blue-grey water surface, a white sailboat and a small dark boat float under an unseen sun. A French tricolor flag floats in the center, adding a colorful note to this active port. On the sandy shore of a golden yellow and ochre, many fishermen clothed in blue are busy around nets or scattered cargoes. The background is dominated by a green hill dotted with small houses with red tile roofs, while on the right stands a tall structure in brown and golden tones.

This work demonstrates the artist’s unique talent for arranging lines of force with remarkable geometric rigor. The use of fast brushstrokes and bold juxtapositions reveals a perfectly accomplished and highly modern painting technique.