London - Westminster by André Derain

This monumental view of London stands out as one of the most famous achievements of the painter’s mature Fauve period. Titled “London - Westminster” and created by Derain André, the scene revisits the classic theme of the river landscape under a flood of pure light. The painter adopts here a divisionist style which he pushes to its expressionist paroxysm to glorify the city. This work embodies the visual shock experienced by the artist before the light of the capital.

In the center, the imposing, bluish silhouette of Parliament stands out against a sky ablaze with pink, purple, and yellow touches. In the upper right, a white sun surrounded by a red circle projects rays in the form of small concentric touches of great intensity. On the green and blue river, small black boats sail, leaving trails of glowing smoke behind them. A wide band of golden and orange reflections crosses the water on the right, creating a luminous path that leads the eye towards the palace.

The creator proves his artisanal genius in the methodical application of thick, spaced strokes that make the canvas surface vibrate. This enlarged pointillist technique gives the scene a magical atmosphere and an almost supernatural luminosity. It is a masterly celebration of the power of pure color applied with science.