A mosaic of brushstrokes
Derain’s Waterloo Bridge is an ensemble of vivid colours applied in a sort of mosaic of loose brushstrokes that leave the canvas with its pale ground visible in places as an innovative pictorial device.
The raking light image shows the volume of the brushstrokes Derain applied to the canvas. The thickest ones are in the sky, especially in the upper right corner where he represents the intensity of the sunlight. In this area the strokes are vertical but become more diagonal towards the left part. This lends the painting considerable movement and expressiveness.
In the central area of the horizon, where the bridge and the buildings are, the paint is applied more thinly, smoothly and almost continuously. This gives the landscape depth. But in the area of the river he again uses more paint-laden strokes. In this case they are more horizontal, with a movement that simulates the river’s waters.
Derain employs contrasting shades to achieve the volume and depth he needs, resulting in a unique view of the city with a vivid palette.
