1802
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of Pont au Change, the City Theatre, Pont Neuf, Conciergerie Prison, and taken from Pont Notre Dame is a 1802 by Girtin, a Romanticism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This sketch shows a river with a stone bridge carrying people and a horse-drawn cart. On one side, tall buildings line the street—some with fancy columns, others with simple windows. A big church with a tall tower sits near the bridge, while a smaller tower with a pointed roof stands behind it. The water below looks rough, with rocks and debris near the shore. The artist focused on how light hits the buildings, making some parts look bright and others shadowy. This was a way to show depth without too much detail. Next, check out chiaroscuro to see how artists use light and shadow like this.
Thomas Girtin (18 February 1775 – 9 November 1802) was an English watercolourist and etcher. A friend and rival of J. M. W. Turner, Girtin played a key role in establishing watercolour as a reputable art form.
See the richer artist pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
