Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Harbor Night

Name Class Date

charles reiffel, Harbor Night (1937), City of San Diego. Public domain.

The facts

Artist
charles reiffel originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/charles-reiffel/
Artist’s dates
1862 – 1942
Painted
1937
Held at
City of San Diego originaluniqueart.com/en/museums/city-of-san-diego-california/

In context

Harbor Night — charles reiffel

When was this painted?

  1. 1860
  2. 1870
  3. 1880
  4. 1890
  5. 1900
  6. 1910
  7. 1920
  8. 1930
  9. 1940

Shaded: the lifetime of charles reiffel (1862–1942) ▲ this work, 1937

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/charles-reiffel-harbor-night-AQTDTQ-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Espresso #362f2b

    Catalogued palette

    • #362F2B
    • #99958E
    • #CFC5B4
    • #676761
    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Espresso
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Bold How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Discordant Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Bright How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    charles reiffel

    early life and career

    charles reiffel, an american post-impressionist painter, was born in 1862 in indianapolis, indiana. initially, he worked as a lithographer, taking up painting in 1912. reiffel's self-taught approach to art led him to develop a unique style, which would later bring him national acclaim.

    artistic evolution and notable works

    reiffel's artistic journey took him through various styles, from lithography to post-impressionism. his plein-air landscapes, often depicting the picturesque views of californian nature, are notable for their captivating beauty. some of his most famous works include:

    summer session at ballast point, san diego (1930), a testament to his post-impressionist style.

    road in the cuyamacas (1934), showcasing his ability to capture the spectacular scenery of california.

    museums and collections

    reiffel's works are included in various collections, including:

    the municipal collection of phoenix, arizona, a testament to his national acclaim.

    the fine arts gallery of san diego, where his post-impressionist style is well-represented.

    the los angeles county museum of art, featuring an extensive collection of his works.

    legacy and exhibitions

    reiffel's legacy is celebrated through various exhibitions, including a retrospective at the san diego museum of art and the san diego history center in 2013. his national acclaim is a testament to his significant contribution to post-impressionist art. notable links:

    charles reiffel | AllPaintingsStore - explore reiffel's artwork and learn more about his style.

    charles reiffel - wikipedia - delve into reiffel's biography and artistic evolution.

    conclusion

    reiffel's post-impressionist style, characterized by his captivating plein-air landscapes, has left a lasting impact on the art world. his legacy continues to inspire artists and art enthusiasts alike, with his works remaining a testament to his unique contribution to american art. key facts:

    born: 1862, indianapolis, indiana

    died: march 14, 1942, san diego, california

    style: post-impressionism

    notable works: summer session at ballast point, san diego; road in the cuyamacas

    Museum

    City of San Diego

    On show in California, Colombia

    A Gateway to Artistic Discovery

    Within the historic heart of the Columbia District, where the echoes of the past meet the vibrant pulse of contemporary California, stands the City of San Diego Museum. Housed in the meticulously preserved Santa Fe Depot, this architectural marvel serves as much more than a mere repository for fine art; it is a grand gateway to discovery. As visitors step beneath its soaring ceilings and navigate through ornate detailing that whispers of Spanish colonial roots, they enter a space where history and modern design exist in a seamless embrace. The depot, once a bustling transportation hub, now facilitates a different kind of journey—one of intellectual curiosity and aesthetic wonder. To wander through these halls is to experience the very evolution of San Diego, moving from the rhythmic arrival of trains to the profound stillness of artistic contemplation.

    A Tapestry of Human Expression

    The museum’s collection is a rich, multi-layered tapestry that weaves together diverse movements and mediums, offering a profound dialogue between tradition and innovation. One cannot traverse these galleries without being arrested by the intimate intensity of Frieda and Diego Rivera, a piece that masterfully captures Kahlo’s revolutionary approach to portraiture through the lens of scale and emotional depth. This spirit of individual expression finds its counterpart in the delicate, tactile wonders of Genie Shenk, whose handmade paper quilts explore the ethereal realms of Jungian psychology, dreams, and memory. For the collector or designer seeking conceptual rigor, the museum offers significant holdings from pioneers like John Baldessari and Martha Rosler, artists who challenged the boundaries of visual culture by blending photography, text, and film into provocative new forms. Each piece serves as a thread in a larger narrative, connecting the indigenous traditions of the region to the cutting-edge explorations of modern art history.

    A Living Legacy of Culture and Community

    Beyond its physical walls, the museum acts as a vital catalyst for the cultural landscape of the Columbia District and beyond. It is a place where the deep-seated Hispanic and Latino influences of California are celebrated with reverence, telling stories rooted in the shared history of Mexico and Spain. This commitment to cultural dialogue extends into the very fabric of the community through workshops, lectures, and performances that transform the museum from a static gallery into a dynamic cultural hub. As the surrounding district undergoes a renaissance of historic preservation and modern redevelopment, the museum remains a steadfast beacon of continuity. It invites all who enter—from the casual observer to the seasoned connoisseur—to participate in a living history, ensuring that the transformative power of art continues to shape the future of San Diego’s artistic heritage.

    Where to read more

    • The artist charles reiffel originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/charles-reiffel/
    • The museum City of San Diego originaluniqueart.com/en/museums/city-of-san-diego-california/
    • Similar works More works to compare originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/charles-reiffel-harbor-night-AQTDTQ-en/

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Harbor Night

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/charles-reiffel-harbor-night-AQTDTQ-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    reiffel, charles. Harbor Night. 1937, City of San Diego. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/charles-reiffel-harbor-night-AQTDTQ-en/
    APA
    reiffel, charles (1937). Harbor Night [Painting]. City of San Diego. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/charles-reiffel-harbor-night-AQTDTQ-en/
    Chicago
    charles reiffel. Harbor Night. 1937. City of San Diego. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/charles-reiffel-harbor-night-AQTDTQ-en/
    Harvard
    reiffel, charles (1937) Harbor Night. City of San Diego. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/charles-reiffel-harbor-night-AQTDTQ-en/

    Look closely

    Harbor Night — charles reiffel

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Look back at Mountain Ranch after the Rain (1928), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    4. charles reiffel was about 75 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?
    5. What might the artist have wanted you to feel?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.