Volendam Street Scene

Robert Henri

National Gallery of Art

This painting shows a busy scene at the edge of the water. The horizon is visible on the left, where blue-gray sky meets blue-gray water behind a line of tall masts. In the center, a woman in a dark dress with a light gray apron carries two yellow baskets near her hips. Behind her and on the right are more people, indicated by overlapping streaks of paint that form dark hats, black trousers, and shirts in shades of red and brown. No details of these people are visible, and we can't see any of their faces. Behind these people is a large tan building with a red roof. A tall tree stretches up on the right, its dark green leaves covering the top right corner. The brushstrokes are loose and expressive, giving the scene a hazy appearance. The ground below the people is tan, with the pale blue-gray sky overhead.