Artwork
View of Pont-Neuf with Statue of Henri IV
View of Pont-Neuf with Statue of Henri IV is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Camille Pissarro. It dates from 1901 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Camille Pissarro's 1901 oil painting captures a specific urban vista of Paris, focusing on the Pont-Neuf bridge and the equestrian statue of King Henri IV.
Camille Pissarro's 1901 oil painting captures a specific urban vista of Paris, focusing on the Pont-Neuf bridge and the equestrian statue of King Henri IV. As a cityscape, the work documents the physical environment of the French capital at the turn of the twentieth century. The composition integrates historical monuments with elements of modern life, notably including a steam locomotive within the scene.
This juxtaposition of the royal statue and industrial machinery reflects the coexistence of France's monarchical past and its industrial present. The depiction serves as a visual record of the city's architecture and daily activity, emphasizing the dynamic nature of the urban landscape through the inclusion of moving transport alongside static historical symbols.
Technique & Style
Camille Pissarro's View of Pont-Neuf with Statue of Henri IV is an oil painting executed on canvas in 1901. The work measures 46.5 cm in height and 55 cm in width. Classified as a cityscape, the piece captures urban elements including the central statue of Henri IV and a steam locomotive.
The medium of oil paint on canvas is characteristic of Pissarro's approach to depicting the modern Parisian environment.
History & Provenance
The work was painted by Camille Pissarro in 1901. It depicts the Pont-Neuf bridge and the statue of Henri IV in Paris, integrating contemporary urban elements such as a steam locomotive.
The painting entered the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst (Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek) as part of its holdings in cityscapes by Pissarro. Its provenance within the museum’s collection is documented from the point of acquisition onward.
The painting is housed in the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, where it is listed under that institution's inventory. Its accession details correspond to the museum's holdings as described in the source. The work has been featured in exhibitions presented by the museum, reflecting its ongoing display within the collection.
Overview
Camille Pissarro’s 1901 oil canvas titled View of Pont‑Neuf with Statue of Henri IV presents a winter‑like Parisian scene rendered in muted browns and grays. The composition centers on the historic bridge and the equestrian monument, framed by skeletal trees, low‑rise buildings, and a passing steam locomotive whose plume of smoke drifts across the sky.
Context
The Pont‑Neuf, the oldest standing bridge across the Seine, and the statue of Henri IV have long symbolized Parisian continuity. Pissarro’s choice to depict them during a period of rapid industrialization reflects the artist’s broader interest in documenting the evolving cityscape, a theme he explored throughout his long career across multiple artistic phases.
Artist & collection
