The artwork, titled “Notre Dame, the Effect of Sunlight,” is an Impressionist oil painting on canvas created by Francis Picabia in 1906. The cityscape painting, measuring 66.99 x 73.66 cm, is a depiction of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris under the influence of sunlight. This piece is currently housed in a private collection.
Within the artwork, Picabia captures the iconic facade of the Notre Dame Cathedral, rendered with vigorous brushstrokes characteristic of Impressionism. The interplay of sunlight on the cathedral is depicted through a vibrant mix of colors, wherein the structure appears bathed in a warm, luminous aura. The meticulous use of light and shadow effects demonstrates Picabia’s adeptness at conveying atmospheric depth and the transient effects of light, hallmarks of the Impressionist movement. The surrounding scenery, though less detailed, complements the majesty of the cathedral, situating it amid a subtle backdrop of soft, impressionistic foliage and distant edifices.