Houses by the Water
- Original dimensions
- 28 x 21.8 cm
- Museum
- Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
- Year
- 1874
Scene depicted
This painting transports us to the heart of a bucolic sweetness, where the houses, with their picturesque roofs, seem to live in harmony with a serene aquatic landscape. The reflections in the water, rendered with a delicate approach, evoke a silent narrative, paying tribute to the ephemeral beauty of nature. The work breathes like a visual poem where every detail matters, immersing the viewer in this quintessence of daily life.
Historical context
This iconic painting was created in Paris, then emblematic of the Impressionist movement, during the artistic effervescence of the 19th century. Paul Gauguin , a central figure in modern art, captured on his canvas the tranquility of the houses by the water, a composition that seizes the very essence of his time. Today, this painting finds refuge at the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek , where it dialogues with other masterpieces of art.
Place in the artist's career
“Houses by the Water” is situated at a turning point in Gauguin's career, marking his transition from an Impressionist style to more personal and symbolic forms, later anticipating his explorations of vibrant colors and bold compositions, visible in works like “The Vision after the Sermon” and “Starry Night.” This painting thus constitutes a pivotal step in the search for his artistic identity.
Anecdote
In a moment of brilliant inspiration, Gauguin once confided: “Beauty lies in the simplicity of things.” That day, while he was in a promise of solitude by the water, he captured the tranquil harmony of life, giving birth to this vibrant masterpiece , imbued with serenity and poetic reality.