The Visit of the English Squadron to Le Havre by Raoul Dufy

The Visit of the English Squadron to Le Havre - Raoul Dufy - Oil Painting

At a Glance

The Visit of the English Squadron to Le Havre by Raoul Dufy is one of those images that never dates. Our studio recreates it as a hand painted oil painting — textured, color-rich, and ready to hang as canvas wall art in an entryway, study, or reception area.

Composition & Subject

La visite de l'éscadre anglaise au Havre, 1927-1929
gouache and watercolor on paper

Le Havre, located at the point where the Seine estuary opens out into the English Channel, was the primary port of entry into Normandy and on to Paris from points in the United Kingdom northern Europe. From the bluffs overlooking the coast one could look out across the harbor to the jetty and lighthouse on the left. The high horizon formed by the perimeter of the bay divided the scene into broad bands of sky, sea and strand, in effect providing a flat tapestry-like expanse that was an ideal backdrop for Dufy's depiction of a nautical fête.

Dufy's work in textile design had been a central aspect of his career since 1910, when he met the fashion designer Paul Poiret and subsequently worked with the design firm of Bianchini-Férier. In 1925, on the occasion of the Paris Exposition des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels, Poiret commissioned Dufy to provide fabric wall-hangings for one of his barges moored alongside the Quai d'Orsay. Dufy made the basis of each design three individually colored horizontal bands of fabric represening generalized fore-, middle- and backgrounds, Dufy was able to give the impression of spatial depth in the wall-hangings, while at the same time underscoring the essential flatness of his designs.

Dufy makes use of the same principle in his paintings and watercolors. To this he applied his concept of 'couleur-lumière'. Dufy wrote, "The colour captures the light that forms and animates the group as a whole. Every object or group of objects is placed within its own area of light and shade, receiving its share of reflections and being subjected to the arrangement decided by the artist" (quoted in D. Perez-Tibi, Dufy, New York, 1989, p. 150).

Dufy found corroboration of these ideas in the way the 17th century painter Claude Lorrain treated light in his idealized classical landscapes. Following the example of Lorrain, Dufy does not depict what he actually sees, but by drawing upon his perceptions at the scene he recomposes and invents the landscape, investing it with component tonalities that he formulates subjectively. Traditional perspective is abandoned, distance may be telescoped, and objects in the composition may appear in any scale the artist chooses.

As entryway wall decor, the piece pairs naturally with other fauvist wall art and with warm neutrals, timber, and soft natural light.

How It Is Made

Trained artists work in stages — underpainting, mid-tones, highlights, and detail — using traditional oils on canvas. Because nothing is printed, every hand painted oil painting has its own subtle texture and depth.

Product Details

• 100% hand-painted oil painting on artist-grade canvas — never a print or digital reproduction.
• An extra 2-inch blank border is left around all edges for easy stretching and framing.
• We dispatch worldwide ourselves, so there are no middlemen in the chain.
• Available canvas sizes for this hand painted oil painting: 20 X 24 in, 24 X 36 in, 30 X 40 in, 36 X 48 in, 48 X 72 in.
• Custom canvas dimensions are welcome for this fine art oil painting.
• Multiple low-cost carriers available, including DHL, UPS, FedEx and USPS.
• Free canvas stretching on wooden stretcher bars; custom framing available on request.
• You will receive a photo of your completed painting by email for sign-off prior to shipping.

Where to Hang It

For entryway wall decor that does not feel generic, a painted fine art canvas is hard to beat. It is a popular fine art oil painting pick for new homeowners and a durable alternative to seasonal poster art.

Ordering & Peace of Mind

Order The Visit of the English Squadron to Le Havre as a hand painted oil painting on canvas and add lasting fauvist character to your entryway. Custom sizes, a digital proof before dispatch, and secure worldwide shipping are included.