The Outer Harbor of Brest
The Met
Artist: Henri Joseph van Blarenberghe(French, Lille 1750–1826 Lille)
Date: 1773
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 29 1/4 x 42 1/8 in. (74.3 x 107 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Vincent Astor, 1978
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
A panoramic view of a port with numerous sailing ships, buildings, and crowds of people
Detailed Description
The painting depicts a wide, panoramic view of an active port city under a partly cloudy sky. The upper third of the canvas features a light blue sky with numerous fluffy clouds, predominantly in shades of light orange, pink, and gray, with some darker gray clouds towards the top right. The middle ground is dominated by a wide expanse of calm, greenish-blue water, filled with a variety of vessels. Several large, multi-masted sailing ships, with intricate rigging and furled sails, are anchored or docked, their dark hulls contrasting with the lighter water. Many smaller boats, including rowboats and barges, are scattered across the water, carrying groups of people and moving between the larger ships and the shore. The city itself lines both sides of the harbor. On the left, a dense cluster of multi-story buildings with dark roofs extends along the waterfront, receding into the distance. On the right, the foreground features an active quay packed with people. Crowds of figures, dressed in long coats, hats, and dresses, are seen walking, standing, and interacting along the dockside. Some smaller boats are pulled up to the edge of the quay. Behind the active waterfront, a continuous line of multi-story buildings, rendered in shades of beige, brown, and gray with dark roofs, rises up a gentle slope. Green foliage is visible on a hill behind the buildings on the far right, suggesting a natural landscape beyond the urban area.
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