Who painted Paquetá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil?

Paquetá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was painted by Marc Ferrez in 1890.

Where can I see Paquetá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil?

Paquetá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Paquetá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil?

Paquetá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Paquetá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Marc Ferrez , 1890

Paquetá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is a photography by the Impressionist artist Marc Ferrez. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1998.272
Credit line: John L. Severance Fund

About this work

Overview

Marc Ferrez’s photograph titled Paquetá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil dates from around 1890 and is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection.

Marc Ferrez’s photograph titled Paquetá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil dates from around 1890 and is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. The image captures a tranquil lakeside view on the island of Paquetá, showing smooth stones scattered across shallow water, a line of trees at the edge, and a wooden fence framing the left margin. The surface of the water mirrors the sky and distant, mist‑shrouded hills.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a serene natural setting that emphasizes balance and quietude. The arrangement of rounded rocks, the gentle rise of foliage, and the reflective water together suggest a cultivated landscape, reminiscent of the designed gardens of late‑19th‑century estates. By focusing on an everyday, unpopulated scene, the photograph invites contemplation of the subtle beauty found in ordinary environments.

Technique & Style

Ferrez employed the large‑format glass‑plate process typical of his era, allowing for fine detail and a wide tonal range. The crisp rendering of stone texture, foliage outlines, and water reflections reflects a realist approach, where the camera records the scene with precision rather than embellishment. The balanced framing and careful exposure contribute to a calm, almost painterly atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1890, the image entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition (specific acquisition details are recorded in the museum’s catalog). It remains an example of Ferrez’s extensive documentation of Brazilian landscapes during a period of rapid urban and infrastructural development in Rio de Janeiro.

Context

During the late nineteenth century, Brazil experienced a surge in photographic activity, with artists like Ferrez documenting both urban growth and rural scenery. Paquetá, an island in Guanabara Bay, was a popular leisure destination for Rio’s elite, and its landscaped parks reflected contemporary European garden ideals adapted to the local environment.