Boris Anisfeld (Bessarabia, 1878 - 1973, Waterford, Connecticut)
Blue Sails-Concarneau I, 1910
Oil on canvas, 58 x 71 cm (22 13/16 x 27 15/16 in.)
This painting depicts a view of sailing ships in port. One ship occupies much of the foreground, with a second ship right behind, the front visible to our right. Distinct brush marks of blue paint create the sails, giving them a netlike appearance. In the midground, additional sailboats with blue sails are visible. In the background, and from between the sails, the viewer has obscured views of the landscape bordering the port. Swirling brush marks of white and light blue create the sky. In the lower corner to our left is the artist’s signature.
Blue Room
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.