The Harbour at St. Jean Cap Ferrat 1921

Winston Churchill painted The Harbour at St. Jean Cap Ferrat with a direct, hands-on approach to mark making, and a colour palette pulled straight from the Mediterranean coast. You can really feel the physical process of painting. The surface of the canvas is a flurry of gestural strokes. Look closely at the way he renders the water – it's all short, choppy strokes of blues, greens, and shimmering yellows, capturing the constant movement and reflection of light. The paint isn't overly thick, but it’s applied with confidence, each stroke distinct yet blending into the overall impression of the scene. It feels like he’s building up the image bit by bit, moment by moment. This process-oriented approach to artmaking reminds me a little of the Impressionists like Monet. Like them, Churchill prioritized capturing the immediate, sensory experience of a particular place, rather than focusing on meticulous detail. Ultimately, though, art is an ongoing conversation, and there’s always more to see and discover.