“Seaport at Sunset”
“Seaport at Sunset” is a grand oil on canvas landscape by the French Baroque artist, Claude Lorrain, from 1639. Lorrain is one of the earliest artists to devote the subject of his work to landscapes, or in this case, seascapes. During this period, landscapes were just finally becoming respectable subjects for art. Interestingly, he was also one of the first western artists to depict the sun in his work.
In this painting, Lorrain depicts a bustling port in a city at sunset. Workers are engaged in various scenes in the foreground. Fishing boats can be seen in the water, traversing the distance between the port and the large ships. The buildings are constructed with classical architecture, and they recede in height and clarity as the viewer’s eye travels back. The artist spent most of his working life in the city of Rome, which provided him the inspiration necessary for the architecture.
The perspective is rooted by the sun which draws the viewer’s eye from left to right as they follow the sun’s rays back to its source. The whole scene is bathed in the soft golden light of the setting sun. The scene is atmospheric, juxtaposed by the bright soft light and harsh dark shadows.
Although Lorrain often depicted people in his art, the landscape was really the subject he was most interested in. Some, including himself, believed that was because he was actually not that skilled at depicting people. Lorrain was known to have said that he charged for his landscapes but gave the figures for free.
“Seaport at Sunset” is currently on display at the Musée du Louvre in Paris, France.
For more on Claude Lorrain, please visit his short biography here.
You can find more artists to learn about here.
