Entering the Harbor

“Entering the Harbor” painting

By Henry Guinier 1867 – 1927

Purchased at St.Louis Exposition in 1904 for $550.

Painting of a scene in Britain

Guinier trained in the studios of several important French academic artists, and his success brought him numerous prizes and recognitions. Much of his career was spent in Concarneau, a port in Brittany on the western coast of France, and it is likely that the harbor depicted here is that of Breton fishing village. Like an earlier resident of Brittany, Paul Gauguin, Guinier was fascinated by the costumes of the region, and the figures in his paintings are often garbed in traditional Breton hats and clothing. Also like Gauguinand other late 19th century French Symbolists, his scenes sometimes have a pensive quality, as does this painting with a woman sitting alone, watching quietly as the boats sail past her into the harbor. See attached PDF file concerning the purchase of the painting.