Καρνάγιο (Θόλος)

000030 Rita Vergou-Hartoulari, Dockyard (Tholos), 2002, watercolour on paper, 64.5 × 82.5 cm

Born in Chios, the painter dedicated her art capturing the landscape of the island. She was particularly concerned with the boats, the harbour and the shipyards, working her compositions mainly with watercolours. Her style evolves from realism, adopts impressionistic references and sometimes naive characteristics. The painting in the Gallery's collection is typical of her artistic creation. Three large fishing boats—one red, one blue and one green (from left to right)—are depicted in the centre of the composition; they are pulled to the shore and supported with wooden beams, while pieces of wood, ropes, scaffolding and other tools can be seen all around them. Obviously, this is a karnagio, a shipyard for small boats. As the title makes clear, it is Tholos dockyard, near the village of Sikiada. The composition is simple, divided into three superimposed zones: the first is the coast, the second is dominated by the three boats, and the third includes the mountains on the horizon and the sky. The drawing is realistic, as are the colours, yet the watercolours give a sense of fluidity, speed and freedom to the painting.