Intérieur du Port de Marseille (Interior of the Port of Marseilles), 1754
Claude-Joseph Vernet
Rmn-Grand Palais
Paris, France, France
Joseph Vernet (1714-1789) is famous for his landscapes and his marine paintings created in Italy. In 1753, he received a prestigious commission from the director of the Royal Buildings: the depiction of the 22 main ports of France. Vernet completed 15, including that of the Port of Marseilles.
In this view over the Phocean City, Vernet slightly exaggerates the number of boats. He depicts several characters on the quayside, including some who are wearing Turkish garments, evoking the trade with the East.
In his composition, he grants more space to the port than the sea, in order to better detail, in the foreground, the products and business which resulted from the maritime trade, which was Marseilles' principal activity.
Although it shows a real location, the depiction idealises the power of French maritime.
- Title: Intérieur du Port de Marseille (Interior of the Port of Marseilles), 1754
- Creator: Joseph Vernet
- Creator Lifespan: 1714/1789
- Creator Nationality: française
- Creator Gender: masculin
- Creator Death Place: Paris
- Creator Birth Place: Avignon
- Physical Location: Marseille, France
- Location: Marseille
- Physical Dimensions: 165 × 265 cm
- Provenance: Dépôt du département des peintures, musée du Louvre
- Subject Keywords: bateau, port, costume oriental, marchandise, Moyen-Orient, population, turban, voyage, commerce, ville, mer, navire, quai, architecture
- Type: Peinture
- Original Source: Paris, musée national de la Marine
- Rights: Photo RMN-Grand Palais / image RMN-GP
- External Link: Musée national de la Marine, Agence Photo Rmn-GP
- Medium: Huile sur toile
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