“The Port of Bordeaux” is an oil on canvas cityscape painting created by Edouard Manet in 1871. This work, representative of the Realism art movement, measures 66 x 99.5 cm and is presently held at the E.G. Bührle Foundation in Zürich, Switzerland.
The artwork depicts a bustling port scene in Bordeaux, France. Dominating the foreground is a large sailing ship, its sails majestically billowing in muted shades of white, contrasting against the dark hull. The masts and rigging of numerous other ships extend into the sky, contributing to the dynamic texture of the composition. The background is filled with architectural silhouettes of various waterfront buildings, rendered with a subtle yet effective use of earthy tones. The scene exudes a sense of lively maritime activity under a softly clouded sky, embodying the realism characteristic of Manet’s work.
