The artwork, entitled “Argenteuil,” was created by Edouard Manet in 1874, in Argenteuil-sur-Armançon, France. Executed with oil on canvas, this piece stands as an exemplar of the Impressionism art movement. With dimensions measuring 149 by 115 centimeters, it fits within the genre painting category. Currently, the artwork is housed at the Musée des Beaux-Arts Tournai in Tournai, Belgium.
In the artwork, Manet captures a serene scene set against the backdrop of a river, likely the Seine, bordered by the town of Argenteuil. In the foreground, a woman and a man are seated on a boat, bathed in natural light. The woman’s attire is a striped dress complemented by a large hat adorned with a white ribbon, while the man is casually dressed in a striped shirt and a straw hat. The contrasting textures and colors – the woman’s delicate, blue-striped dress against the man’s bold, red-striped shirt – add vibrancy to the scene. The surroundings feature another boat and a view of the distant town under a clear blue sky, creating a tranquil yet dynamic composition characteristic of Impressionist sensibilities.
