(Paris 1863–1935)
Collioure. La Tartane, 1887, signed P. Signac (at a later date), signed, dated and titled P. Signac La Tartane Collioure 1887 on the reverse, oil on panel, 16 x 25 cm, framed

Provenance:
Georges Seurat Collection (1859–1891), Paris
Josef Hessel Collection (1859–1942), Paris
Gaston Lévy, Paris by 26 February 1930
Galerie 35–37, Paris by 1984
Sotheby’s, London, 27 June 1984, lot 163
Anton Caspar Rudolphus Dreesmann Collection (1923–2000), Laren, the Netherlands, by whom acquired at the above sale
his sale, Christie’s, London, 9 April 2002, lot 71
acquired at the above sale by the previous owner
Christie’s London, 10 February 2011, lot 425
acquired at the above sale by the present owner

Literature:
Cahier d’opus (the artist’s handlist, produced 1887–1902), no. 169, titled La Tartane
Cahier manuscrit (the artist’s handlist, produced 1902–1909)
G. Lévy (in collaboration with the artist), Pré-catalogue, produced
c. 1929–1932, illustrated p. 167
F. Cachin, Signac, Catalogue Raisonné de l’OEuvre peint, Paris, 2000, no. 158, illustrated p. 185

The motif of the atmospheric harbour view returns time and again in Paul Signac’s oeuvre, and Signac was, in fact, an enthusiastic sailor in his youth. With the trained gaze of a seaman he paints a tartane ship in Collioure, a small fishing village in southern France, and captures the shimmering light using delicate beige tones. The complementary pale blue of the sea harmonises wonderfully with the colours of the village scene. With rapid brush work that here replaces the dot technique of pointillism, Signac animates the quiet village and brings the boat and the waves to life.