Boulogne

Théo van Rysselberghe

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a view from a dock or shoreline, looking out over a harbor filled with several sailboats anchored in tranquil water. Closest to us are the dark silhouettes of these boats, their masts and rigging sharply defined against the light reflected on the water. Beyond the boats, the horizon is low in the composition, crowded with the lights of a distant city or port, giving a sense of depth. The horizon forms a line where the water meets the cityscape. Smoke trails from stacked chimneys blend into the atmosphere. The sky and water are treated with crosshatched strokes, creating a textured effect that enhances the reflection of lights on the water. The overall color palette is monochromatic, dominated by shades of black, grey, and muted white.