The artwork titled “Yacht” by Andre Derain was created in 1905, using oil on canvas. It measures 73 x 92 cm and is associated with the Fauvism art movement. As a genre painting, it exemplifies the characteristics of its time and movement.
The artwork depicts a scene of a yacht with several figures involved in activities around the boat. Bold brushstrokes and vibrant, non-naturalistic colors are evident, typical of the Fauvist style, which was known for its radical use of color and expressive brushwork. The composition is dynamic, with the masts and riggings creating strong vertical and diagonal lines against the backdrop of water and hills. The figures are rendered in a simplified style, and the artist’s use of color creates a sense of light and movement on the surface of the water and the yacht itself. The painting reflects Fauvism’s emphasis on painterly qualities and strong color over the representational or realistic values retained by Impressionism.
