Impressionist Harbor Scene

This 23.125 inch x 23.5 inch painting captures a serene maritime scene, where a sailboat gracefully navigates calm waters under a soft, pastel sky. The boat, with two visible sails, casts a rippled reflection on the water’s surface, mirroring its structure. The boat is positioned in the left half of the composition, within the foreground. A small crew, specifically 3 somewhat ambiguously shaped figures, is subtly defined amidst the boat’s structure, their presence adding a note of humanity and life. The sky is painted with muted hues of blues and whites, suggesting an early morning or late afternoon setting and serves as a backdrop to silhouetted birds in flight – their wings spread wide and bodies elongated – again, adding a sense of life and movement to the otherwise tranquil scene.
In the distance, an indistinct landmass emerges from the water, meeting the right hand side of the work and ending in the center of the work. This painting is a beautiful representation of a peaceful maritime scene, filled with subtle details that draw the viewer in and invite them to share in the serenity of the moment. The painting is encased within a light brown wooden frame with an inner white border. The signature at the bottom indicates that the artist is Selma J. Cubell (May 19, 1923 – January 16, 2016). Selma was a talented painter known for her serene and tranquil works. She was born Selma J. Gelb and later married Frederick R. Cubell, to whom she was married for 54 years. She resided in Delray Beach, Florida. In addition to her painting, Cubell was a singer and a devoted community volunteer. She passed away at the age of 92.