Le port de Marseille au coucher du soleil 1890 - 1895

Félix Ziem created this painting of the port of Marseille at sunset using oil on canvas. Ziem was part of a generation of artists in France who saw the country's ports as spaces of great social and economic transformation. In the 19th century, Marseille grew into a major center of trade and migration in Europe. The city was a gateway to France's colonial territories and to new global markets. The image creates meaning through symbols of commerce and travel, seen in the tall masts of ships silhouetted against the setting sun. It also speaks to the changing social landscape of France at the time. The artist's choice of subject matter reflects growing interest in urban and industrial development as themes for art. This contrasts with earlier academic traditions that valued historical or mythological scenes. As historians, we can enrich our understanding of paintings such as this by researching the changing nature of France's economy, the growth of its urban centers, and the development of its art institutions.