Porte de la Reine at Aigues-Mortes

1867
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 818
During the late spring of 1867 Bazille visited the town of Aigues-Mortes near his family home in Montpellier. Hoping for "at least eight beautiful days," he set himself the challenge of painting "absolutely simple" landscapes of the city and surrounding marshes. Of the artist’s three known views of the area, this is the only one to show the massive medieval walls of Aigues-Mortes from up close. It also displays the most striking light effects: the southern sun shines brightly through the archway, contrasting with the afternoon shadows that envelop the grazing Camargue pony and the figures in the foreground.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Porte de la Reine at Aigues-Mortes
  • Artist: Jean-Frédéric Bazille (French, Montpellier 1841–1870 Beaune-la-Rolande)
  • Date: 1867
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 31 3/4 x 39 1/4 in. (80.6 x 99.7 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Gift of Raymonde Paul, in memory of her brother, C. Michael Paul, by exchange, 1988
  • Object Number: 1988.221
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

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