Red Boat (Imaginary Boys) 2004

Peter Doig's painting, "Red Boat (Imaginary Boys)", presents a scene where a vivid red boat stands out against a hazy, dreamlike backdrop. The painting is composed of fluid forms that evoke a sense of displacement. The artist's expressive brushwork and use of color create a tension between representation and abstraction. The boat, rendered in bold red, contrasts with the green hues of the landscape, creating a focal point that anchors the composition. The watery reflections below mirror the forms above and dissolve the solidity of the landscape. The figures, anonymous in their white shirts, seem suspended in this liminal space. Doig uses the formal qualities of painting—color, texture, and composition—to invite viewers into a world that destabilizes fixed meanings. "Red Boat" captures a sense of fleeting memory, suggesting that the act of painting itself is a way of engaging with the fluid and ever-changing nature of perception.