Image 268 Toward Modern Art - A Exhibition at the Palazzo Grassi in Venice

The composition presents a scene of rural labor set against a coastal backdrop. Two figures, presumably women, are engaged in drawing water from a well situated on a rocky promontory. One figure kneels at the edge of the well, while the other operates the pump mechanism. Both wear simple, dark clothing and wide-brimmed hats that obscure much of their faces, contributing to an overall sense of anonymity. Several earthenware jugs are positioned near the well, suggesting a practical purpose for the water being drawn.
The landscape is rendered with a distinctive pointillist technique, characterized by small, distinct dots of color that blend visually at a distance. The sea occupies a significant portion of the background, punctuated by the silhouettes of sailboats and distant landmasses. A vibrant blue dominates the marine expanse, contrasting sharply with the warm ochre and yellow tones of the foreground terrain. This contrast creates a sense of depth and spatial recession.
The artist’s use of color is notable for its deliberate lack of naturalism. The landscape appears stylized rather than realistically depicted, emphasizing an emotional or symbolic resonance over precise representation. The intense hues contribute to a dreamlike quality, suggesting a world removed from the everyday.
Subtly, the painting evokes themes of labor and sustenance within a rural setting. The women’s task is presented not as arduous or unpleasant, but rather as an integral part of their existence. The well itself becomes a symbol of life-giving resources and communal dependence. The distant boats hint at connection to wider trade networks, while the isolation of the promontory suggests self-sufficiency and resilience.
The absence of individualizing details in the figures’ faces encourages viewers to consider them as archetypes – representations of universal human experiences rather than specific individuals. This contributes to a sense of timelessness and universality within the work.