Who painted Bordeaux?

Bordeaux was painted by Maxime Lalanne in 1870.

Where can I see Bordeaux?

Bordeaux is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Bordeaux?

Bordeaux is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Bordeaux?

Museum-quality prints of Bordeaux are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Bordeaux

Maxime Lalanne , 1870

Bordeaux is a print by the Impressionist artist Maxime Lalanne. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1918.99
Credit line: Gift of Frederick Keppel and Co., Inc., The Frederick Keppel Memorial

About this work

Overview

Created in 1870 by French printmaker Maxime Lalanne, Bordeaux is an etching that captures a narrow urban street scene. The work belongs to the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s nineteenth‑century European prints.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a bustling boulevard lined with closely spaced façades, each adorned with rows of windows and balconies. Trees flank the pavement, and a few pedestrians traverse the uneven stones, suggesting everyday activity in a 19th‑century French city. The gradual darkening toward the lower edge conveys the impression of depth and the fading of daylight.

Technique & Style

Lalanne employs swift, gestural lines that convey both the texture of foliage and the ripple of water in the gutters. The etching relies on a subtle chiaroscuro, using contrasts of light and shadow to model the architecture and to give the scene a sense of atmospheric perspective. The sketch‑like quality underscores a spontaneous, observational approach.

History & Provenance

After its execution, the print entered the European market for etchings and eventually was acquired by the Cleveland Museum of Art. It remains a representative example of Lalanne’s prolific output in the late 1800s, illustrating his reputation for capturing urban vistas with immediacy and technical finesse.