The artwork titled “On the Bank of an African River,” created by Briton Riviere in 1918, exemplifies the Realism movement and belongs to the genre of animal painting. This piece vividly portrays a scene on the bank of an African river, featuring a lion and several lionesses in their natural habitat.
In the artwork, a pride of lions is depicted standing by the river’s edge, the majestic lion surrounded by several lionesses. The background reveals a lush and vibrant landscape, with distant trees and vegetation framing the serene waterway. The muted colors and detailed brushwork highlight the artist’s commitment to Realism, illuminating the beauty and rawness of the wildlife and their environment. The painting captures a moment of calm unity amid the grandeur of the African wilderness, providing viewers with a glimpse into the natural world as seen through the eyes of Briton Riviere.