This delicate graphite pencil drawing bears witness to the profound bond that united Paul Signac with Saint-Tropez, a place that became inseparable from both his life and his artistic vision.

Signac first discovered the small Provençal port around 1892 during a stopover aboard his yacht L’Olympiaand was immediately captivated by it. Enchanted by the Mediterranean light, the tranquility of the village, and the activity of its harbor, he settled there for much of his life and played a decisive role in establishing Saint-Tropez as one of the leading artistic centers of the early twentieth century.

Executed circa 1920, this sheet captures the atmosphere of the port with remarkable economy of means. A few assured strokes are enough to delineate the silhouettes of the sailing boats, while the vertically rising masts create a rhythmic structure across the composition. The shoreline hills define the horizon through a succession of fluid contours.

Reflections on the water are suggested by a network of light, vibrant marks that animate the entire lower half of the drawing.

Focus 3/4 : Black is a color