Artwork
Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris:View of Pont au Change
Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris:View of Pont au Change is a print by the Romanticist artist Thomas Girtin. It dates from 1802 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 2006.228
- Credit line
- Gift of John Bonebrake
About this work
Overview
Thomas Girtin's 'Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of Pont au Change' is a print created in 1802, showcasing his skill as a British watercolourist and etcher.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a serene Parisian cityscape, focusing on Pont au Change, with a stone bridge, horse-drawn cart, and grand buildings lining the riverbank, including a clock tower and a pointed roof.
Technique & Style
Girtin employed chiaroscuro, manipulating light and shadow to create depth, making certain areas appear almost three-dimensional, a technique common in early sketches for conveying dimensionality.
History & Provenance
The print is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, reflecting Girtin's contribution to elevating watercolour as a respected medium, amidst his notable rivalry with J. M. W. Turner.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
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
A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris
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Le Pont-au-Change, Paris
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Le Pont-au-Change
A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of Pont au Change, the City Theatre, Pont Neuf, Conciergerie Prison, &c taken from Pont Notre Dame
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Le Pont-au-Change, Paris
View of the Pont au Change and the Palais de Justice, Paris
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