Who painted St. Raphael, the Terrace?

St. Raphael, the Terrace was painted by Albert Marquet in 1932.

Where can I see St. Raphael, the Terrace?

St. Raphael, the Terrace is held by Norton Simon Museum.

What movement is St. Raphael, the Terrace?

St. Raphael, the Terrace is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Artwork

St. Raphael, the Terrace

Albert Marquet , 1932

St. Raphael, the Terrace is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Albert Marquet. It dates from 1932 and is held in the collection of the Norton Simon Museum.

About this work

Overview

Albert Marquet’s 1932 oil painting St. Raphael, the Terrace presents a tranquil seaside setting. A woman in a yellow dress and hat rests on a bench amid verdant foliage, while a pathway leads to a railing that opens onto a broad expanse of water beneath a blue, cloud‑dotted sky. The composition balances foreground intimacy with a distant horizon, inviting quiet contemplation.

Subject & Meaning

The work captures a moment of leisure on a coastal terrace, emphasizing the harmony between human presence and nature. The seated figure, surrounded by trees and greenery, suggests a pause in everyday life, while the expansive sea and sky convey openness and calm. The warm palette reinforces a feeling of comfort and relaxation.

Technique & Style

Marquet employs a restrained palette of warm yellows, greens, and blues, applying oil paint with fluid, impressionistic brushwork. Light and shadow are modulated to create depth, especially along the path and railing, while the softened edges of foliage and water reflect his post‑impressionist sensibility, moving away from the bold chromatic experiments of his earlier Fauve period.

History & Provenance

Created in 1932, the painting entered the collection of the Norton Simon Museum, where it remains on view. Marquet, a French artist who had long been associated with Henri Matisse, produced the work during a mature phase of his career, when his focus had shifted toward quieter, atmospheric landscapes.

Context

St. Raphael, the Terrace belongs to Marquet’s broader body of coastal and urban scenes that explore light, water, and everyday moments. Executed after his involvement with the Fauves, the piece reflects the artist’s transition to a more subdued, impressionistic approach, aligning with the post‑impressionist movement that emphasized mood over overt color experimentation.