It was in Collioure that Henri Matisse and André Derain worked together in the summer of 1905 and added a new chapter to the Fauvist movement. In a letter dated 25 June 1905, Matisse convinced Derain to meet him in the Catalan port, stating “I cannot persuade you enough that a trip there would be extremely useful for your work – you would be in the most advantageous conditions and benefit from your work done there. I am sure that if you listen to me you will like it, that is why I insist that you come.”
They worked intensely for two months, often comparing their points of view and sharing discoveries and reflections. The work of this artistic duo would become a crucial point in the Fauvist movement.
Throughout his time in Collioure, Derain painted many different perspectives of the same locations, , ultimately revealing the multifaceted feeling of the place. Matisse and Derain often worked from the same location, but seldom from the same angle. They rarely painted together but often met up in the evening to share their research.
Le port de Collioure depicts the port from the beach at Voramar, his back to the church and the castle is in view. There is a vanguard simplicity to the work due to the lack of layering - exposed areas of raw canvas are uniquely combined with pure swathes of colour to emphasize the vibrancy and heat of the summer’s day.