Montagnes à Collioure

The landscape bursts with bold, joyous color, turning mountains, trees, and sky into a lively tapestry of blues, pinks, oranges, and greens. Derain uses quick, rhythmic strokes that give the scene a sense of movement, as if the hills and foliage are pulsing with summer heat and Mediterranean light. The trees in the foreground twist with bright red branches, guiding the eye through a world that feels both playful and intense.

Painted during his groundbreaking time in Collioure with fellow Fauvist Henri Matisse, this work captures Derain’s belief that color could reshape reality. Instead of aiming for accuracy, he uses exaggerated hues to express the warmth and vibrancy of the place. The result is a landscape that feels alive in every corner, celebrating the emotional power of color and the freedom of seeing the world through a more imaginative lens.