The artwork, “Boats in Port at Low Tide,” created by Pierre Bonnard in 1905, is an oil painting on canvas associated with the Post-Impressionism movement. This cityscape, measuring 30.5 x 30.5 cm, resides in a private collection.
The painting depicts a tranquil port scene during low tide, characterized by a subdued yet evocative palette. The foreground is dominated by several boats, whose sails stand starkly against the soft, muted hues of the harbor. The middle ground features the port’s edge, rendered with loose and expressive brushstrokes that convey a sense of stillness and quiet. In the background, a line of buildings rises, subtly obscured by the atmospheric conditions, while the sky above is punctuated by billowing, textured clouds that suggest a moody, yet not stormy, day. The overall composition is balanced and harmonizes a sense of place and moment, capturing the serene yet bustling daily life at a port during low tide.
