Italian Fishing Boats

A cluster of fishing boats sits at rest in a still harbor, their tall sails soaking up the warm afternoon sun. The biggest sail burns in shades of orange and coral, stamped with the letters "FR," while a row of pale buildings stretches along the water behind them. Edgar Payne painted this scene on one of his European trips, where the busy working harbors of Italy and France kept drawing him back. Mirror-like reflections and loose, dabbed brushstrokes wrap the whole picture in a calm, sunlit glow.

Payne was an American painter who lived from 1883 to 1947, and remarkably he never went to art school, teaching himself the craft instead. Most people know him for his California landscapes and his love of the rugged American West, but travel was in his blood, and boats and water were among his favorite subjects. His approach carries a strong Impressionist flavor, with rich color and shifting light taking priority over crisp detail. Rather than fussing over every wooden plank, he chased the feeling of the moment, which gives this harbor a warm and welcoming spirit.