Port de Dordrecht, 1904, oil on board

Boyer – Dordrecht, 1904 – 17.75” x 15”

A turn-of-the-century harbor scene painted on thick cardboard, signed and dated lower right Boyer Dordrecht / 1904. The view captures the Dutch city’s working waterfront, with windmills on the horizon, moored boats in the foreground, and a plume of industrial smoke rising into a moody sky. The artist’s loose, confident brushwork brings movement to the clouds and water, while the muted palette of grays, browns, and greens is punctuated by the warm red of a vessel’s hull.

This piece’s earthy, weathered tones pair beautifully with rustic wood furniture, antique brass, and linen textiles. Lean it on a shelf among books and maritime objects for a collected look, or hang it in a gallery wall to add texture and atmosphere. Its worn surface and patina tell a story that works well in both traditional and eclectic spaces.

Dordrecht, one of the Netherlands’ oldest cities, was a favorite subject for both Dutch and visiting French artists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Known for its waterfront lined with windmills, warehouses, and working boats, it offered a perfect blend of old-world charm and industrial energy. This painting’s style reflects the influence of the Hague School and other realist movements of the era—capturing everyday life with an emphasis on natural light and weather.

Medium: Oil on thick cardboard
Condition: Wear and surface abrasions consistent with age; areas of paint loss and foxing visible.