The Departure

This oil painting on wood panel, signed and dated 1921 in the lower right corner, is a work by the painter René de Olinda (born in 1893). It depicts fishermen setting out to sea at dawn, watched by two women standing on the shore.

The painting has a beautiful narrative intensity, conveyed through the figures’ postures and the scene's almost dramatic nature. In the foreground, a woman holding a child in her arms stands upright, her dress caught by the wind. Her posture conveys dignity in the face of the sea's dangers and the uncertainty of departure. To her left, a second figure, slightly hunched, seems to convey a greater sense of worry or resignation.

In the boat, the fishermen are already engaged in considerable physical effort, although they appear to have barely left the shore. The movement of their bodies and the angles of their gestures heighten the tension of the scene, creating a contrast between those who are leaving and those who remain behind.

The painting technique is particularly remarkable. Through the juxtaposition of small, often thick and generously applied brushstrokes, the artist builds up forms and makes the light vibrate across the composition. The reflections on the water take on an almost tangible quality, while the darker silhouettes stand out against the luminous background. This approach, close to Divisionism and Pointillism, gives the painting a wonderful richness of texture and movement.

Beyond its pictorial qualities, the work sensitively evokes the lives of fishing communities, their daily departures, and the anticipation of those who remain on shore.

The painting is presented in an elegant antique Louis XV-style gilded wooden frame, decorated with acanthus leaves and scrolling ornaments. Its flowing moldings and aged gilding beautifully complement the rich texture and the luminosity of the seascape.

About the artist: 

René Pierre Louis de Olinda was born in Algiers in 1893. His work focuses primarily on Parisian landscapes, particularly Montmartre, as well as maritime scenes. He participated in the Salon des Indépendants in Paris in 1927.

Dated 1921, this painting demonstrates his command of a technique based on juxtaposed brushstrokes and the effects of light, six years before he participated in the Salon des Indépendants. His date of death remains unknown.