La Rochelle 1920

Paul Signac made this dreamy watercolour in 1920, probably en plein air, judging by its breezy, immediate quality. Look at how he's laid down these strokes, almost like shorthand for boats and buildings, using colour like little flags to guide our eye. It's like he's saying, "Here's the essence of La Rochelle, catch it if you can!" I love how the surface isn't overworked; you can see the paper breathing beneath those washes of pink, blue, and green. The reflections of the boats in the water are just these scribbled lines, so simple, yet they totally nail that shimmering effect. Check out that little boat on the left with the figures in it, it’s like a tiny stage for a miniature drama, these daubs of colour really bring it to life. Signac, being a Neo-Impressionist, was all about capturing light and atmosphere. You can see him in conversation with someone like Turner, who was also chasing those fleeting moments of light and colour. It feels unresolved and alive all at once, it makes you look, and makes you think.