The artwork “Afternoon, the Duquesne Basin, Dieppe, Low Tide” is an Impressionist cityscape painted by Camille Pissarro in 1902. The piece is rendered in oil on canvas and measures 65 x 81 cm. Currently, this painting is part of the collection at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) in Montreal, Canada.
The artwork depicts a panoramic view of a harbor town at low tide. Pissarro has masterfully captured the subtle shifts in light and color that characterize the Impressionist movement. The brushwork is loose and appears almost spontaneous, suggesting the fleeting moment of the afternoon light. Dominated by earthy tones and a gentle harmony of colors, the canvas portrays the architectural features of the cityscape with soft edges and a hazy atmosphere, characteristic of many Impressionist works. The sky occupies a large portion of the composition, filled with dynamic cloud formations that add a sense of movement to the otherwise tranquil seascape.
In the foreground, groups of figures gather near the water’s edge, appearing as daubed color accents against the vast expanse of the exposed tidal flats. These forms are rendered in such a way that their individual details are less important than their collective presence in the scene. The reflection of buildings, boats, and the bustling activity of the harbor are implied rather than explicitly detailed, which allows the viewer to experience the essence of the place and time rather than a literal representation. This approach is a testament to Pissarro’s commitment to capturing the sensory experience of a scene, which is a defining objective of Impressionist art.
