Une barque sur l'océan (A Boat on the Ocean), oil on linen painting by Cerulean Arts Collective Member Jeff Thomsen.  Included in his solo exhibition January 15 - February 9, 2025.  Size:  24" H x 30" W; Frame: 25.25" H x 31.25" W 

This painting is one in series of five paintings based on the five-movement piano suite Miroirs by Maurice Ravel. 

Ravel is sometimes referred to as an “impressionist,” a kind of musical equivalent to the famous French painting movement that had commenced about 30 years prior to the composition of Miroirs. Actually, Ravel, as well as Claude Debussy, a slightly older contemporary French composer to whom Ravel is often linked, disliked and disagreed with being considered impressionist composers. However, in Une barque, the almost nostalgic evocation of movement upon the water certainly suggests that this is the most “impressionistic” of Ravel’s five movements. The music of Une barque begins tranquilly and peacefully enough, but soon we find ourselves in rough water and danger before returning to the tranquility and for ward movement of the first statement. Like life, not always a placid journey but one leading, perhaps, to inevitable acceptance.
                                                                                                                         Jeff Thomsen

Note: Painting will be available for pickup or shipment after the end of exhibition.

To view additional work by Jeff, visit his webpage: