By the River

Before one even notices the image content, this painting is noticeable for a wonderfully delicate, soft look, due to the small, curved strokes and use of light, similar hues. There is a subtle effect of everything blending into one. The actual image portrays natives of dark descent engaged in some actions for which the river is necessary. Those to to the right are men; it appears that they are either worshiping or carrying something to the water. The women are to the left, they appear to be washing clothes. All of them are dressed in white. Both sides are separated by river; the background shows a sandy, rocky environment with few scattered trees and a village house in the distance.


Within the context of the narrative, this image is during a trip en route to Japan, showing another port of call. There is a purity and simplicity communicated by the white clothes and natural actions, within a natural environment; the water is clear. Although foreign, there is something very beautiful and at once identifiable with the scene- people worship and clean in rivers around the world. Interestingly, none of the faces are given in detail, generalizing them all into one people. They seem to melt into the landscape, the white of their clothing the same as that of the foam. There is clearly a reverence for nature, being part of it or maybe being made less significant by it. The divide between men and women must be noted; the women still partaking in a more subservient role, they are also the minority. The men with his back to the viewer stands between the group and appears to be walking into the heart of the river; perhaps containing a certain symbolism as he is abandoning his working comrades to be engulfed in nature. All the figures are younger and attractive, again adding to the beauty and serenity of the scene. As a shipman surveying the scene, the artist must have been taken with this particular port to portray it in such a manner.