The Old Port of Marseille (Le vieux port de Marseille)

1914

Maurice de Vlaminck

Associated Names
Maurice de Vlaminck

Artist, French, 1876 - 1958

Paul Birault

Printer, French, 20th century

The image shows a waterfront scene viewed from a slightly elevated angle, possibly from a pier or dock. The horizon is not distinctly marked, but the cityscape extends across the upper part of the composition, with buildings densely packed on a hillside, and a prominent structure resembling a fortress or tower near the water. The piece exhibits bold, angular brushstrokes typical of a woodcut style, creating a dynamic and somewhat abstract representation of the scene. The color palette is purely monochrome, using strong black lines against a stark white background, emphasizing contrast and forms within the composition. Closest to us, there are parts of boats docking along the waterway. In the distance, the buildings climb the hill, crowned by a spire at the top, adding depth to the image.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    woodcut in black on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ruth and Jacob Kainen Collection

  • Dimensions

    image: 24.8 x 33.5 cm (9 3/4 x 13 3/16 in.)
    sheet: 36 x 44.6 cm (14 3/16 x 17 9/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1996.88.6

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Walterskirchen 1974, no. 14, State b


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Galerie R.G. Michel, Paris); Ruth Cole Kainen, Chevy Chase, MD, purchased December 6, 1975; gift to NGA, 1996.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1974

  • Walterskirchen, Katalin von. Maurice de Vlaminck, Verzeichnis des graphischen Werkes. Bern: Benteli Verlag, 1974.

Inscriptions

lower right below image in graphite: Vlaminck; lower left below image in black: 7; by later hand, lower left in graphite: W. 14 - Le vieux port de Marseille; by later hand, lower left verso in graphite: 2427X; by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: OTXX; by later hand, lower center to lower right verso in graphite: Le Vieux Port de Marseille

Watermarks

Van Gelder Zonen

Wikidata ID

Q75399661

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