MARTIN Henri (1860-1943). "Fishing Boats in Collioure". Oil - Lot 110

MARTIN Henri (1860-1943). "Fishing Boats in Collioure". Oil on card signed and dated lower left. H.35 L.46. Expert: Alexis BORDES. Best known for his treatment of light in his post-Impressionist and neo-Impressionist works, Henri Martin entered the École des Beaux-Arts in Toulouse. The artist then continued his training in Paris, where he was influenced by the great masters of the time, notably Monet, Pissarro and Seurat. Here, the artist developed a distinctive style combining Impressionist techniques. His landscapes were often inspired by the Lot region, where he later settled. Our painting "Les Barques de pêche à Collioure" (Fishing Boats at Collioure), probably painted around 1911 like another famous version in the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec in Albi (inv. 319), takes up one of the artist's most emblematic subjects, the port of Collioure, depicted by Signac before him. Imbued with the brilliant light of southern France, Henri Martin captures the very essence of maritime and Mediterranean life. The artist transports us to the picturesque port of Collioure, a coastal village in the south of France before the Spanish border. The boats in the foreground are moored side by side, rocked by the gentle waves of the Mediterranean. Their unfurled sails reveal a palette of vivid colors, reflecting the shimmering hues of the sky and sea. Light plays an essential role in the artist's work. Here, it bathes the colorful boats and surrounding buildings in a delicate luminosity, creating a play of shadows and reflections that enliven the scene. Vibrant colors and warm tones dance on the surface of the water. Beyond the faithful representation of the landscape, our work exudes a serene atmosphere of tranquility. Henri Martin freezes the present moment with impressive precision, capturing a moment in time and inviting us to travel as we let ourselves be enchanted by the magic of the Mediterranean coast. The viewer is seized by the sea breeze and the iodized scent of the air. We would like to thank Madame Marie-Anne Destrebecq-Martin for confirming the authenticity of this work, which will be included in the catalog raisonné currently in preparation. A certificate dated January 12, 2024 will be provided to the buyer.