The Buoy (La bouée)

1894

Paul Signac

Associated Names
Paul Signac
Artist, French, 1863 - 1935
The artwork titled "The Buoy (La bouée)" features a depiction of a harbor scene. The point of view is from the water, looking toward the buildings and boats along the shoreline. The horizon is placed high, with buildings in warm light extending across the composition. The style is characterized by pointillism, with small, distinct dots of color creating an effect. The color palette includes warm yellows, oranges, and reds, contrasted with cool blues and greens. Closest to us, a red buoy floats on the water, reflecting the colors of the sky and surroundings. In the distance, several sailboats are moored, their masts reaching up against a clear, blue sky.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    6-color lithograph

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet (trimmed to image): 40.1 x 32.4 cm (15 13/16 x 12 3/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1950.16.231

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Kornfeld/Wick 1974, no. 9, State iii/iii

Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

1971

  • An Impressionist View on Paper - from the Lessing Rosenwald Collection of the National Gallery, Washington, D.C, Art Gallery at the University of Notre Dame, 1971, no. 37.

1972

  • Lithography in the 19th Century: Selections from the National Gallery of Art, Rosenwald Collection, New Jersey State Museum, Trenton, 1972-1973, no. 32, repro.

2011

  • Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Masterpieces from the National Gallery of Art, The National Art Center, Tokyo, Tokyo; Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art, Kyoto, 2011, unnumbered catalogue.

Bibliography

1974

  • Kornfeld, Eberhard W. and Peter A. Wick. Catalogue raisonne de l'oeuvre grave et lithographie de Paul Signac. Bern: Editions Kornfeld et Klipstein, 1974.

2010

  • Jones, Kimberly A. Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Masterpieces from the National Gallery of Art. Washington, DC: National Gallery of Art, 2010.

Wikidata ID

Q65364120

You may be interested in

You may be interested in