Fishing boats, Doëlan Finistère

Description of the artwork

A true painter of Brittany, Henry Moret is one of those artists who owe part of their reputation to Paul Durand-Ruel, whom he met in 1895. Thanks to the gallery owner's regular purchases and recommendations, Henry Moret developed a remarkably high-quality Impressionist style, which he consolidated in 1897 and 1898.
In our painting, a multitude of small brushstrokes enable him to make the light vibrate on the cliffs, in the sails of the fishing boats and in the inlet reflecting a few round clouds. The strong contrasts underline the perspective of this inlet, where the fishermen took refuge before setting sail again.

Since November 1896, Henry Moret has lived in Doëlan, in a small house rented from retired schoolteacher Joseph Tonnerre, from where he enjoys a magnificent view. He enjoyed working in the open air, his easel planted on a steep cliff or in a solitary valley. A keen hunter and pleasant company, he is perfectly integrated into the Breton landscape that has adopted him. Aside from a few trips to Paris to present his work to Durand-Ruel, he never left Brittany, traveling constantly between Pont-Aven, Le Pouldu, Doëlan and Clohars.

Origin

Purchased from Henry Moret by Durand-Ruel Paris May 29, 1897
Sold to Paul Durand-Ruel on August 10, 1903 (for André AUDE),
Purchased from André AUDE on June 5, 1942,
Sold to Louis KAHL July 24, 1952
Hotel des Ventes de Strasbourg, sale November 29, 1989
Richard Green Gallery, circa 1990
Private collection, USA

Literature

Durand-Ruel archives under number 2384
Certificate of authenticity dated September 10, 1990 issued by Judy Le Paul
Certificate of authenticity by Jean-Yves Rolland, made in 2025