Robert Lauer, presents Fête Du Port: A Tribute to Eugène Boudin, promising a stunning homage to the iconic festival.

Robert Lauer’s Fête Du Port, meaning "Harbor Festival" in French, pays tribute to French artist Eugène Boudin (1824-1898). From the perspective of Waterside Marina at dusk, the artwork borrows colorful flags from Harborfest's Parade of Sail, twisting in the breeze to evoke the shifting movement of clouds before the vivid colors of a setting sun.

About the Artist

Mentor and lifelong friend of Claude Monet, Boudin was one of the very first impressionist artists and was referred to by fellow impressionists as 'le roi des ciels' or King of the Skies. He was widely recognized for marine seascape paintings depicting colorful harbor regattas along France's Normandy Coast; Fête Du Port is inspired by one of Boudin’s most famous works, 'Boats Decorated with Flags in the Port of Deauville' (1895).

Robert Lauer holds a Studio Art minor from Washington & Lee University and a Masters from the College of Design, N.C. State University. His career has spanned several international corporations in the United States, Germany, Japan, and China, where he served as a Director of Industrial Design. Lauer honed his skills in watercolors, oils, and acrylics under the guidance of I-Hsiung Ju at W&L, donating his artwork for charitable events. 

Upon returning to the Tidewater area of Virginia, Lauer's works focused on exploring the natural vivid colors found at sunset along our waterways stretching from the Northern Neck to the Currituck Sound of North Carolina. His works capture the interplay of sky and light on water, balancing the harmony of simple hidden geometry with strategically placed focal points. A proponent of Stephen Quiller's color theory, the majority of his colors are hand-mixed from just 5 pigments and applied with layered washes. His ability to integrate art, design, and marketing in his career is a testament to his exceptional skills and expertise.

Robert Lauer is a member of the Chesapeake Bay Artist Association and an Associate Artist at The d'Art Center, 740 Boush St, Norfolk, VA 23510. Prior to Harborfest, Robert was selected for three juried fine art shows this spring, including Norfolk's Stockley Gardens, Richmond's Arts in The Park, and Williamsburg's Art On The Square. His works can be seen online at RWLauer.com and StravitzArtGallery.com, or in person at both the d'Art Center and the Stravitz Gallery, Virginia Beach.

2024 Norfolk Harborfest Commemorative Posters will be available for purchase at the Official Festival Merchandise Tent throughout the festival weekend. Posters are $30 unsigned and $40 signed by Robert Lauer.