The artwork titled “Crossing the Seine on the upper deck” is attributed to the renowned artist Pablo Picasso. Created in the year 1901, this genre painting is an exemplar of the Impressionism movement. Picasso executed this piece using oil on cardboard, a testament to his experimental nature with mediums. The dimensions of the artwork measure 50 x 65 cm. Presently, it resides within the prestigious collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, located in Chicago, IL, US, where it continues to be admired by patrons of the arts.
The artwork depicts the lively scene of passengers crossing the Seine River in Paris aboard an upper deck of a boat. The fluid brushstrokes and vibrant palette are characteristic of Impressionist works, aiming to capture the transient effects of light and atmosphere. Figures are painted with a sense of immediacy, appearing absorbed in their own experiences of the crossing. The Seine itself is portrayed with quick, dappled strokes, representing the movement of water beneath them. The backdrop shows a hazy Parisian landscape, which suggests the bustling life of the city beyond the river. This artwork captures a momentary slice of everyday life, reflecting the larger social milieu through the lens of personal, intimate human engagement.