The Harbor (Le Port)

Jean Metzinger worked in several styles throughout his career, but he is best known as one of the first artists to practice cubism. "The Harbor," one of his largest cubist works, is divided into several vertical panels that depict a busy port from separate points of view. Bright colors and different textures energize the composition, evoking the activity of a commercial harbor.

In addition to painting, Metzinger co-wrote and published the first formal treatise on cubism in 1912, which would greatly influence other artists. Despite Metzinger’s significance, his work has largely been overshadowed by Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso.