The sea wall

The gallery's
opinion

This map by Amandine Maria, “The sea wall” in Marseilles exposes the characteristics of this emblematic structure of the Phocaean city: a narrow but long separation between city and sea. This 7 km long strip of concrete and stone protects the large seaport. You can see the lighthouse at its end.

If you look at it closely, these are 3 views of the same site, during the artist’s walk.

One is fascinated by the quality of the details transcribed in ink and watercolor. The historical buildings tell the story of the city’s great construction sites, both ancient and contemporary. The cathedral of la Major, the CMA CGM tower and even Notre Dame de la Garde. But also the cranes or the industrial buildings.

Finally, we take the time to read the notes written by the artist to restore the nature of the site and the memories of the walk. Amandine Maria summons the sensations of the moment: “the sound of the train”, “the smell of thyme”.

The choice of ink and watercolor paint contributes to the delicacy and meticulousness of the drawing, simultaneously realistic and poetic.

With “The sea wall” we discover Marseille in a different way, through the eyes of an artist who walks, generous with details. This drawing would form a beautiful diptych with “Corniche Kennedy“, of the same orientation and format.