Paul Signac – The Jetty at Cassis, Opus 198 Metropolitan Museum: part 3

The canvas presents a coastal scene characterized by a distinct lack of sharp definition and a pervasive sense of shimmering light. Here we see a body of water extending towards a distant horizon line, punctuated by several small sailing vessels whose forms are suggested rather than precisely rendered. The surface of the water is not depicted as smooth; instead, it appears to vibrate with tiny strokes of color, creating an impression of movement and reflected sunlight.
A rocky jetty juts out into the water along the right side of the composition, its form delineated by a series of pale ochre and grey dots. This structure leads the eye towards a cluster of buildings situated on higher ground in the background. These structures are simplified to geometric shapes – predominantly cubes and rectangles – with hints of terracotta roofs adding warmth to the overall palette. A tower-like building stands prominently among them, its purpose ambiguous but contributing to the sense of an established settlement.
The artist employed a pointillist technique throughout, using small, distinct dots of color that blend optically when viewed from a distance. This method contributes significantly to the painting’s atmosphere; it softens edges and creates a hazy quality that obscures detail while simultaneously intensifying the luminosity. The palette is dominated by blues, greens, yellows, and ochres – colors associated with sunlight, water, and vegetation.
The composition suggests a moment of quiet observation. There are no human figures present, which lends an air of solitude to the scene. The focus remains firmly on the landscape itself, emphasizing its inherent beauty and tranquility. One might interpret this as a celebration of natures rhythms and the simple pleasures of coastal life. The deliberate lack of narrative detail encourages contemplation rather than storytelling; it is less about depicting a specific event and more about capturing an overall mood or feeling – one of peacefulness and gentle light.

The arrangement of elements, with the jetty acting as a visual guide towards the distant buildings, creates a sense of depth while maintaining a flattened perspective characteristic of pointillist works. The subtle variations in color temperature across the canvas – cooler blues dominating the water and sky, warmer yellows and ochres defining the land – further enhance this impression of spatial recession.