Artwork
On the Open Sea-- The Transatlantic Steamship "Péreire"
On the Open Sea-- The Transatlantic Steamship "Péreire" is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Henry Bacon. It dates from 1889 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Created in 1889, this oil painting portrays the French transatlantic steamship Péreire sailing on a calm sea.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1889, this oil painting portrays the French transatlantic steamship Péreire sailing on a calm sea. The scene captures a group of well‑dressed passengers on the deck, some seated, others leaning against the railings, against a backdrop of a cloudy sky and a prominent smokestack.
Subject & Meaning
The work focuses on leisure travel in the late nineteenth century, emphasizing the relaxed posture of the travelers and the spaciousness of the vessel’s deck. The composition suggests a moment of tranquil observation, inviting viewers to consider the social customs of oceanic voyages during the era.
Technique & Style
Executed in an Impressionist manner, the artist employs loose brushwork and a light‑filled palette to render atmospheric effects. Subtle chiaroscuro models the wooden deck and the figures, while the handling of sky and water conveys a sense of fleeting light and movement.
History & Provenance
The painting was produced by Henry Bacon, an American veteran of the Civil War who studied in France and associated with the Pont‑Aven circle. After a career focused on rural French scenes, he broadened his range to include maritime subjects. The canvas entered the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where it remains in the permanent collection.
Context
At the time of its creation, transatlantic steamships symbolized modernity and expanding global connections. Bacon’s choice to depict the Péreire reflects contemporary fascination with technological progress and the emerging culture of leisure travel among the middle and upper classes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Henry Bacon (8 October 1839 – 13 March 1912) was an American painter, author, illustrator, and translator.
