Artwork
Henley, régates aux drapeaux
Henley, régates aux drapeaux is an oil painting by the Fauvist artist Raoul Dufy. It dates from 1935 and is held in the collection of the Musée d'art moderne de Paris.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1935, this oil on canvas by French painter Raoul Dufy belongs to the collection of the Musée d'art moderne de Paris. The work captures a bustling river scene, populated by small vessels and figures on the banks, while a series of flags flutter in the distance, lending a festive atmosphere to the composition.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas portrays a lively regatta on the River Thames, where rowers and spectators converge under a canopy of national banners, including a Union Jack and an Irish harp flag. The juxtaposition of sport and patriotic symbols suggests a celebration of communal identity and the spirited leisure culture of the era.
Technique & Style
Dufy employs a bright palette of blues, greens, and reds, applying swift, gestural brushstrokes that convey both the shimmering surface of the water and the kinetic energy of the crowd. The flattened forms and decorative patterning reflect his affinity for Fauvist colorism while hinting at the emerging modernist emphasis on abstraction.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered the holdings of the Musée d'art moderne de Paris, where it has remained on display as part of the museum’s representation of interwar French modernism. Its accession reflects the institution’s commitment to preserving Dufy’s contributions to early twentieth‑century decorative painting.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Raoul Dufy was a French painter associated with the Fauvist movement. He gained recognition for his vibrant and decorative style, which became popular in various forms, such as textile designs, and public building…
