You Gotta Regatta by Coby Goodrich

            A collection of dots formed into a masterpiece, leaving the viewer swimming in the painting’s ocean and sailing in the graceful boats. On another beautiful day on March 12, the group walked to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Although school groups are required to remain with the teacher, we were deemed old enough to handle ourselves and thus we ventured out into the world of art. During our travels, my group stumbled upon a small gallery of outstanding paintings. One such painting, titled The Regatta by Theodore Van Rysselberghe, particularly struck me in its color, picture, and technique. Theodore painted the Regatta during a cruise in the Mediterranean with another well-known painter named Paul Signac. The painting is done using oil paints and a technique known as pointillism.

            The pointillism technique used was easily one of the more defining features of the painting as it brought out the painting’s true color and beautiful lines. The technique also gave the painting two different looks, one from afar and one from viewed up close. From up close, the painting exhibits an array of colors all over the piece. There are red and orange dots in the ocean, and blue and white and orange dots in the grass. Of course these colors are mixed with the normal colors one would expect to find in these locations, such as blues in the ocean and greens in the grass, but up close it appears that the painting is made up of colors from all over the color wheel. The different colored dots bring out the lights and darks of the piece and blend together beautifully, especially when seen from afar. The sailboats seem to be gliding gracefully across the piece, while sun (not included in the painting) seems to be setting as it casts an orange hue over the cliffs and capped waves. The painting kept me captivated in its scene, making me feel as if I was standing on the elegant cliff watching the boats race the setting of the sun.

            The Regatta is a must see at the Museum of fine arts. It’s style and color gives immediate appeal, as well as the scene it portrays. It gives the viewer many aspects to observe and a picture to enjoy. I may have a bias as I enjoy anything to do with the ocean, however I still believe anyone would find The Regatta very appealing and enjoyable. It is a must sea.